It is worthwhile to note that the risk of incident diabetes is varied by different glycemic status (i.e., normoglycaemia and prediabetes). Moreover, prediabetes is a heterogenous state with differential risk of progression to type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is important to comprehensively investigate the risk factors for the development to diabetes among people with normal glucose level, as well as for the progression to diabetes among people with prediabetes. Although several factors (such as age, genetic susceptibility, body mass index, comorbidities) have been identified to contribute to incident diabetes, it is largely unknow about whether emerging modifiable factors (i.e., sleep traits, dietary pattern, air pollution, social isolation) and novel biomarkers (i.e., nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic profiling, surrogate adiposity biomarkers) will help to better predict the risk of the development or progression of diabetes. Moreover, Existing studies have primarily focused on isolated factors, the cumulative or interacting effect of these factors remain underexplored. These investigations will eventually help to develop clinical prediction models for risk identification and stratification among people without diabetes, and assist clinicians in providing targeted delivery of prompt lifestyle intervention or therapeutics. Furthermore, given that prediabetes and diabetes fall along a continuum with shared characteristics owing to hyperglycaemia-induced pathology, it is of great importance to examine will the factors influence the progression from prediabetes to diabetes also influence the prognosis (i.e., complications, hospitalization, and mortality) of diabetes and to what extent will they influence. This investigation will help clinicians provide evidence-based care across the different clinical stages of diabetes.
Leveraging the abundant real-world data from UK Biobank, we aim to draw a comprehensive picture on the development, progression, and prognosis of diabetes. In this study, we will 1) identify factors related to the risks of development and progression of diabetes in people without diabetes, and explore the potential cumulative or interacting effect of these factors; 2) develop prediction models to predict the risks of the development and progression of diabetes; 3) examine will the factors influence the progression from prediabetes to diabetes also influence the prognosis (i.e., complications, hospitalization, and mortality) of diabetes and to what extent will they influence. The study is expected to last for 3 years.
This study will aid in a comprehensive understanding on the complex pathways involving the development, progression, and prognosis of diabetes. It will also help to formulate evidence-based suggestions for healthcare providers and public regarding the diabetes control and management.
