Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Diabetes in Oklahoma Indians

Principal Investigator: Diane Warren, PhD

Abstract:

Statistics from the Oklahoma State Department of Health show that American Indians are three times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes, and are almost twice as likely to die of diabetes-related disorders such as kidney failure.  Both genetic and environmental factors may underlie this health disparity.  Risk factors differ among populations, and the specific factors that influence diabetes risk in persons of American Indian ancestry in Oklahoma are not well understood.  Identifying the factors that increase type 2 diabetes risk in persons of American Indian ancestry in Oklahoma may help us better to understand the disease process, and may be useful for developing culturally appropriate diabetes interventions and treatments.

Specific Aims:

We would like to recruit three adult members of families that include at least one parent and two adult children with diabetes. Two of the family members will be brothers and/or sisters who have type 2 diabetes. The third will be a brother, sister or parent who does not have diabetes. Information on genetic factors will come from DNA taken from family members' saliva. Information on family diabetes history and on diet, physical activity, and other environmental factors potentially influencing diabetes risk will come from questionnaires. For individuals with diabetes, information on diabetes-related medical test results, for example, insulin levels, will come from medical records. Using genetic and environmental information from family members, we will use statistical methods to locate candidate genes for increased diabetes risk, and to investigate whether environmental variables modify the genes' effects. We would like to recruit 184 families.

Participant Inclusion Criteria:

1. American Indian Families with at least 3 family members affected with type 2 diabetes and at least 1 family member not affected.

2. Age 18+

Participant Compensation: Yes

Contact Information:

Diane Warren, PhD, AP, Anthropology, University of Oklahoma. (405) 325-7609 dmwarren@ou.edu or Lancer Stephens, MS, Special Populations Unit Director, OU Health Sciences Center. (405) 271-4272 x 42732 lancer-stephens@ouhsc.edu When inquiring, please mention the Indian Families Diabetes study