Spouses of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Have Increased Risk of Developing the Disease

Individuals who have a spouse with type 2 diabetes have a 26% increased risk of developing the disease themselves, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that included nearly 75,500 couples. The studies were conducted from January 1997 through February 2013. TheBMC Medicine findings point to the importance of socioenvironmental factors in diabetes risk. They may also help improve diabetes detection and motivate couples to work together to adopt healthy lifestyles.