Understanding genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Phenotyping Children and Adults With Possible High or Low Genetic Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Not applicable Interventional University of Pennsylvania · NCT04024631

This study is trying to see how genetic risk for type 2 diabetes affects blood sugar control and insulin response in people who don't have diabetes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages10 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04024631 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how genetic risk scores for type 2 diabetes affect glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in non-diabetic individuals. Participants will be recruited from biobank populations and will undergo a four-hour oral glucose tolerance test and a whole body DXA scan. The study aims to compare individuals with high genetic risk scores to those with low scores to better understand the implications of genetic predisposition on metabolic health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 10-70 years with a BMI of 25kg/m2 or higher, who have previously participated in the UPenn Biobank.

Not a fit: Patients with a prior diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or those on medications affecting glucose metabolism will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved screening and prevention strategies for individuals at high genetic risk for type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using genetic risk scores to predict diabetes risk, making this approach both relevant and promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 10-70 years
* Prior participant of the UPenn Biobank or Center for Applied Genomics Biobank and agreed to be recontacted for future research.
* Adults with BMI 25kg/m2 or higher, children and adolescents with BMI 85th percentile or higher

Exclusion Criteria:

* prior diagnosis of type 1, type 2, or secondary diabetes
* use of medications that would impact glucose and insulin response such as steroids, metformin or other anti-diabetic medication
* acute illness that may impact insulin and glucose dynamics
* pregnancy
* hypothalamic obesity or related genetic disorder of metabolism
* recent systemic chemotherapy use
* gastrointestinal impairment or surgery that may impact absorption
* anemia
* major organ system illness or any underlying condition requiring regular medication or treatment that could make implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult
* inability to comply with study protocol

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2Geneticspolygenic risk for type 2 diabetes
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.