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Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Raj Patel avatar
Written by Raj Patel
Updated over a week ago

What is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk tool?

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk tool is an AI-powered clinical risk assessment that scores your 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Simply complete your health profile, if you haven't already done so when you signed up. Once we have all your required attributes we will calculate your score and provide you with your risk profile. Knowing your risks allows you to take action to reduce your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes, such as changing your diet or increasing exercise to lose weight.

Each time you update your health profile, your risk may change. This will help you monitor the impact of any changes you have made such as exercise or dietary changes.

What is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is a clinical risk assessment that scores your 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service safe for me to use?

Yes. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is classified as a class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations, for its intended use.

How do I use the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service to obtain my Risk Score?


You can view your Type 2 Diabetes Risk Score by navigating to the ‘Personalised Insights’ Section of the account homepage. Here you will see the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.

If you completed the ‘Health Profile’ information when you first created your NowPatient account, the score will automatically be calculated and appear within the Service Card. NowPatient uses the data in your health profile to automatically determine your risk.

If the ‘Health Profile’ was not completed, then you will see that the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card is locked. Click the ‘Unlock’ button on the Service Card. This will present you with a series of questions which you will need to complete. Once you have completed the questions, you will be redirected to the account homepage, where you will be able to see your Score on the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service uses the following special category data:

  • Age

  • BMI

  • Physical activity

  • Vegetable & fruit intake

  • Medical treatment of hypertension

  • History of hyperglycemia

  • Family history of diabetes

Why is it important to know my Type 2 Diabetes Risk & how will I be notified?

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service identifies and classifies your 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your risk factors.

If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.

You can also view the warning advisory by clicking the ‘View Warning’ button on the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.

What should I do if my score puts me at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes?

If the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service puts you ‘at risk’ of developing diabetes, It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you could have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

NowPatient can also automatically qualify you for risk-reducing strategies such as the ‘Weight Loss Programs Service’. You will be notified if you are eligible for this.

Also, ask your doctor about programs and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live.

What do the Type 2 Diabetes risk scores mean?

The below table highlights the meaning behind your risk score.

Score

Risk Category

What to do

0-7 Points

Very Low Risk

You only have a 1% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as very low risk and do not need to take any action, however, you can discuss this with your doctor at your next appointment

7-11 Points

Low Risk

You only have a 4% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as low risk and you do not need to take any action, however, you can discuss this with your doctor at your next appointment

12-14 Points

Moderate Risk

You have a 17% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as moderate risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live.

If you are an NHS patient, You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels.

15-20 Points

High Risk

You have a 33% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live.

If you are an NHS patient, You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels.

21-30 Points

Very High Risk

You have a 50% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as very high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live.

If you are an NHS patient, You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels.

How do I know if the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service gives me an accurate Risk Score?

NowPatient uses the FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) method to evaluate your risk.

It identifies your 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. It requires no laboratory testing and has been scientifically validated in multiple populations.

How do I update my score?

We advise all users to update the ‘Health Profile’ monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations that you may book.

The updated information you submit to the ‘Health Profile’ may affect your Type 2 Diabetes Risk. This will be reflected in the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card as an updated score. This allows you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions.

Who developed the FINDRISC method for calculating Type 2 Diabetes Risk?

The FINDRISC method was designed by Lindström and Tuomilehto in 2003. NowPatient’s Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service has been developed with the permission of Jaana Lindström, one of the inventors of the method.

Does a high risk score definitely mean I will develop Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

The scores only predict the likelihood of you developing Type 2 Diabetes. It does not mean you will definitely develop the condition. Early risk-based interventions and lifestyle changes could mean that you can reduce your risks of developing the condition.

What are the limitations of the NowPatient Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk calculation utilises FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score), which is a widely used tool to estimate the 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

As with any risk assessment screening there are limitations:

Limitation

Explanation

Population bias

Less accurate in non-Finnish or diverse ethnic groups

No lab tests

Misses blood sugar abnormalities

Self-report errors

Users may misreport lifestyle and measurements

Simplicity

Misses complex or emerging risk factors

Not dynamic

Doesn't reflect changes over time

Not diagnostic

Cannot confirm diabetes or prediabetes

What are the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes that I should be aware of?

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

  • Toilet – going for a wee a lot, especially at night

  • Thirsty – being really thirsty

  • Tired – feeling more tired than usual

  • Thinner – losing weight without trying to

  • Genital itching or thrush

  • Cuts and wounds take longer to heal

  • Blurred eyesight

  • Increased hunger

Do I need to pay to use the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?

No. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is a free service available for registered users of NowPatient.

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