Introduction:

Diabetes mellitus is considered a heterogeneous syndrome with a complex etiology, influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Objective:

To identify the presence of alterations of the glucidic metabolism and atherogenic risk factors in first- degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Heroes del Moncada University Polyclinic, in Plaza de la Revolution municipality. The study included 120 adult patients, descendants of diabetic patients. They had no history of alterations of the glucidic metabolism. Sociodemographic, clinical variables were studied, and those related to lifestyles such as blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, triglycerides, (fasting and postprandial) glycaemia, smoking, physical activity and dietary habits.

Results:

These patients had average age of 54.42 years and the female sex predominated. Alterations of the glucidic metabolism were detected in 28.3%, 23.3% of them were considered pre-diabetic and 5% diabetic. The predominant risk factors were inadequate diet, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, which was much evident in patients diagnosed as diabetic.

Conclusions:

The first-degree relatives of diabetic patients may present high prevalence of alterations of glucidic metabolism and atherogenic risk factors, even with no evident symptoms, which reinforces the need of early diagnosis to avoid the progression of the disease.

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