Title of project

Pathophysiological and Genetic Insights into Lean Type 2 Diabetes among Danish and Chinese Individuals

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a significant global health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. While commonly associated with obesity, a distinct sub-phenotype of T2D-lean T2D- has emerged, affecting individuals with a normal body mass index. This sub-phenotype is more prevalent in East Asian populations, but it is also commonly observed in Nordic populations. Lean T2D presents unique challenges in pathophysiology, genetic predisposition, and clinical outcomes, which are poorly understood and require further investigation to inform tailored prevention and treatment strategies.

This project aims to elucidate the pathophysiological and genetic insights of lean T2D by leveraging population-based cohorts from Denmark and Hong Kong. The specific objectives are: (1) to compare the pathophysiological pathways underlying the trajectory from normal glucose tolerance to prediabetes and ultimately to lean T2D in Danish and Chinese populations; (2) to describe the progression of diabetic complications among lean T2D patients in both populations; and (3) to quantify the relative contribution of pathway-specific polygenic risk scores to lean T2D in both populations.

Findings from this project will provide a foundation for developing tailored, population-specific strategies for early detection, prevention, and management of lean T2D. Ultimately, this project will contribute to global efforts to address the unique challenges of lean T2D, improving health outcomes for diverse populations and advancing the field of precision diabetes medicine.