According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey for the Middle Way 2016 (ENSANUT 2016), there are 6, 464,800 Mexicans over the age of 20 diagnosed as diabetic, equivalent to 9.4 percent of the total population. However, many Mexicans may have the disease but have not been diagnosed, as the Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation estimates that for every two diagnosed patients there is one that ignores being diabetic. If that statement applies to Mexico, the number of diabetic patients over 20 years of age in the country would be 9,707,200.

Given this scenario and in order to determine the degree of risk to develop type 2 diabetes in the national population, a Mexican biotech company created the first genetic test in the world that uses a DNA sample from the inside of the cheek and yields results in 15 days . This is a one-time-only assessment and has an effectiveness range of over 87 percent.

In this regard, General Director Laureano Simón Buela said the main objective of the test is to detect people who are at greater risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes, so that they take the necessary actions to avoid the development of the disease.

‘Diabetes Prevent’ is a personalized test that searches for the 16 genetic variants with the greatest association to type-2 diabetes in several human ethnicities, including Caucasian, Amerindian, Asian and African populations.

Simón Buela explains that two of these polymorphisms need special attention in the national population: SLC6A11, present in 30 percent of Mexicans, and HNF-1 alpha, less frequent but represents a greater risk.

The test begins by giving a circular massage on the cheeks, rubbing them against the teeth for 30 seconds. This action causes epithelial cells to be detached, which are then collected by a swab that is introduced into a storage device and transferred to the Patia laboratory for analysis. The results are sent to the interested party 15 days later.

Dr. Simón Buela explains that the test is already marketed in specialized clinics in obesity and diabetes, clinical laboratories and pharmacies in Mexico at a price of 999 pesos, which includes the cost of laboratory analysis.

‘Diabetes Prevent’ was developed over three years, and in its creation participated 15 scientists from the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), and the National Institute of Genomic Medicine, as well as the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School, both in the United States. Likewise, it has a technical validation by the INCMNSZ that certified the test correctly identifies the 16 genetic markers associated with type-2 diabetes.

After knowing if the genetic risk is low, medium or high, the user can download an application that offers a series of recommendations on food, nutrition, physical activity, among others.

Buela said ‘Diabetes Prevent’ will be marketed in other countries, such as the United States and Spain soon.

 

Source: Agencia ID