People with blood type O are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with rarer blood groups, a new study finds. Results from the large, prospective epidemiological study were published online December 18 in Diabetologia by epidemiology researcher Guy Fagherazzi, PhD (Paris-South University, Villejuif, France) and colleagues. The result might seem surprising, since type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent and O is the most common blood type. The findings come from an analysis of 82,104 female teachers participating in a French prospective cohort study initiated in 1990 to study risk factors for chronic diseases. This is the first study to investigate a relationship between blood type and type 2 diabetes risk using such a large cohort size and a prospective design. Therefore, it is a bit early to have strong recommendations for clinicians....There is a need to replicate our study in other populations with different genetic and environmental backgrounds, Dr. Fagherazzi said. Type B-Positive Had Highest Risk for Type 2 Diabetes The investigators conducted three separate analyses using type O, Rhesus-factor–positive blood group, and type O-negative (universal donor) as references. Compared with type O, those with either blood group A or B had a significantly greater risk for type 2 diabetes, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.10 and 1.21, respectively. The risk for type AB was also higher (HR, 1.17) but did not reach statistical significance. bit.ly/1Cd0SDf
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 10:35:56 +0000