Effect of Family History of Diabetes on Hemoglobin A1c Levels among Individuals with and without Diabetes: The Dong-gu Study

PURPOSE: We investigated associations between family history of diabetes (FHD) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, among people with and without diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 7031 people without diabetes and 1918 people with diabetes who participated in the Dong-gu Study were included. Data on FHD in first-degree relatives (father, mother, and siblings) were obtained. Elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes and high HbA1c levels in people with diabetes were defined as the highest quintiles of HbA1c ≥5.9% and ≥7.9%, respectively. RESULTS: In people without diabetes, the odds of elevated HbA1c levels [odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13−1.59] were significantly greater in people with any FHD than in those without. Specifically, the odds of elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes with an FHD involving siblings were greater than in those without an FHD involving siblings. Additionally, in people with diabetes, the odds of high HbA1c levels (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02−1.72) were greater in people with any FHD than in those without such history. Moreover, people with diabetes with maternal FHD had increased odds of high HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: FHD was associated not only with high HbA1c levels in people with diabetes, but also with elevated HbA1c levels in people without diabetes.