Effects of Family History of Diabetes Mellitus on Illness Perception-From the Survey of the Perception of Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Both the lifestyle factor and genetic susceptibility influence the development of diabetes, but information on the genetic diabetes factor appears insufficient compared to that on the lifestyle factor. We surveyed the perception of subjects with type 2 diabetes about the contribution of environmental and genetic factors to the development of diabetes. Subjects with a familial diabetes history tended to overestimate the influence of the genetic factor on diabetes while those with no familial diabetes history underestimated it. No such trend was seen in nondiabetic control subjects. A correct knowledge of the influence of lifestyle and genetic susceptibility should thus improve self-management by subjects. Appropriate, efficient strategies providing information on the etiology of diabetes should thus be established and the ensuing medical intervention should be based on such knowledge.