Link Between Obesity and Diabetic Complications
A large genome-wide analysis has found that common obesity traits are linked to the risk of diabetic kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy.
According to the study, high glucose levels over time can damage small blood vessels, leading to kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage. These complications often occur together and increase the risk of death.
- Kidney damage can lead to kidney failure
- Retina damage can lead to vision loss
- Peripheral nerve damage can lead to pain, numbness, and autonomic dysfunction
The findings are published in the journal Biomolecules and Biomedicine.
The research team analyzed seven obesity-related traits and three microvascular complications using large genome-wide association datasets, providing insights into shared DNA signals and causal links.
Author's summary: Obesity is strongly linked to diabetic complications, increasing the risk of kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage.