Researchers added that genetic risk factors appeared to play an important role in susceptibility to these complications. (Image: Shutterstock)
A 2014 study published in the Current Diabetes Reports notes that the medical condition can be inherited.
Long-term diabetes can cause several medical conditions and one of them is diabetic retinopathy. Under this eye-related medical condition, the blood vessels in the retina are largely affected and damaged. The condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Given that type 2 diabetes is usually a genetic condition, the question arises whether children can inherit diabetic retinopathy from their parents?
A 2014 study published in the Current Diabetes Reports notes that the medical condition can be inherited. According to the study led by two medical professionals from Hanyang University College of Medicine, South Korea and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, United States, “the role of genetic factors in shaping susceptibility to diabetic retinopathy has been known for many years.” Researchers mentioned that family-based studies have shown that susceptibility to this medical condition is hereditary.
There is a high consistency of the severity of diabetic retinopathy in twins with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The study found that the heritability of this medical condition is estimated to be as high as 27 percent, while it is 52 percent for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, an advanced form of the disease.
Another study, published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology in 2019, found that diabetic retinopathy and coronary artery disease are clinically significant complications of type 2 diabetes leading to increased morbidity and mortality in patients.
Researchers added that genetic risk factors appeared to play an important role in susceptibility to these complications. Previous studies have reported 25 to 50 percent genetic risk of diabetic retinopathy and 40 to 60 percent risk of coronary artery disease. The study found that genetic risk factors may act alone or in combination with primary risk factors such as hypertension and cholesterol levels, leading to this diabetic complication.
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