Large-scale genetic analysis reports a direct causal link between body mass index (BMI) and Type-2 diabetes and hypertension.
A recently developed statistical tool called Mendelian randomization (MR) has enabled an international team to complete a large-scale genetic analysis to reveal a genetic basis for Type-2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Michael V. Holmes, from the University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania, USA), and colleagues have found that for every 1 kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI), the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 27%. The same rise in BMI also increases blood pressure by 0.7 mmHg. Of their study involving data collected on 87.736 individuals, the study authors submit that: “Our findings extend our understanding of genes involved in [blood pressure] regulation, which may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.”
Vinicius Tragante, Michael R. Barnes, Santhi K. Ganesh, Matthew B. Lanktree, Wei Guo, Michael V. Holmes, et al. “Gene-centric Meta-analysis in 87,736 Individuals of European Ancestry Identifies Multiple Blood-Pressure-Related Loci.” The American Journal of Human Genetics, 20 February 2014.