Risk factors of atherosclerosis were examined in 63 offspring and 30 siblings of type 2 diabetics and in 22 controls. Clinical complications of atherosclerosis were not found very frequently in direct relatives of diabetic patients. Diabetes was detected in 17% siblings, an impaired glucose tolerance in 11% of the offspring and in 33% siblings. The offspring of diabetics had higher blood sugar values and serum insulin levels on fasting and after stimulation, as compared with controls; as to other metabolic parameters lipids and apolipoproteins, body mass indexes, uricaemia, glycated proteins, C-peptide), the two groups did not differ significantly. In middle age, i.e. in siblings of diabetic patients, the incidence of obesity rose significantly as well as hyperlipoproteinaemia type IV and hypertension, while smoking was less common than in offspring. The glucose tolerance deteriorated further, although the insulin levels did not increase substantially. The mentioned findings indicate the orientation for preventive provisions in families of type 2 diabetics.

Keywords: Adult; Arteriosclerosis /complications/; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 /complications/; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors