Dissection of type 2 diabetes: a genetic perspective
Diabetes is a leading cause of global mortality and disability, and its economic burden is substantial. This Review focuses on type 2 diabetes, which makes up 90–95% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes involves a progressive loss of insulin secretion often alongside insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Although obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are considerable contributors, research over the last 25 years has shown that type 2 diabetes develops on a predisposing genetic background, with family and twin studies indicating considerable heritability (ie, 31–72%).
