Risk of develop type 2 diabetes may be influenced by blood type

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

In a new study, researchers from France, including Dr. Guy Fagherazzi of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at the Gustave Roussy Institute in France, explored the possibility that risk of developing type 2 diabetes may be influenced by a person’s blood type. Fagherazzi and colleagues analyzed data from 82,104 women who participated in the French E3N study, a cohort of almost 100,000 female teachers that began in 1990. 

Data was collected via health questionnaires the women completed. The women’s risks were also assessed by Rhesus factor; then by both blood type and Rhesus factor, comparing each combination with blood group O negative. Analyses revealed that women with blood type A were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women with blood type O; however, women with blood type B had a higher likelihood of developing the condition. No difference in risk of type 2 diabetes was found between those who were Rhesus positive and those who were Rhesus negative. Women with blood type B+ were 35% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women with blood type O–. Women with blood type AB+ were at 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, those with blood type A– were at 22% higher risk, and those with blood type A+ were at 17% increased risk. Findings for blood types O–, B–, and AB– were not statistically significant. Although this study population only included women, one study author notes that no biological mechanisms were identified that suggest their findings were sex-dependent.