ethnic groups, with occurrence about two times higher in non-Caucasians than in Caucasians and the highest occurrence levels being found in African-American populations (Quinn, 1993).
Although nutrition, diet and other factors contribute to the incidence of the disorder, there is some genetic contribution. One major risk-factor gene and four minor ones have been located for insulin-dependent diabetes and five minor risk-factor genes for noninsulin-dependent diabetes (Omar, Christopher & Motala, 1987).
Diagnosis and treatment. Glucose tolerance tests are among the methods to diagnose diabetes. A person is said to have diabetes if the blood-glucose concentration is greater than 140 milligrams per deciliter (normal is 70 to 100 mg/dl) after an overnight fast. The presence of circulating islet antibodies is a good predictor of insulin-dependent diabetes. Genetic tests can also be used; however, they are currently undergoing further development and refinement to make them more
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