The insulin and glucose response to an oral glucose load in non-insulin-dependent diabetes in the young. A study of 4 families.

Four Indian families with three-generation transmission of non-insulin-dependent diabetes were studied. Only 30% of the siblings were diabetic. The mean age of onset of diabetes was 20,1 years; 25% of the diabetics were obese, while all non-diabetic family members were of normal weight. All consenting living family members (12 diabetics and 16 non-diabetics) were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test. After glucose administration, the 12 diabetics displayed a delayed and attenuated insulinaemic response. The area under the insulin curve and the insulin-glucose ratio were lower in the diabetics.