New test could help identify risk of developing type 2 diabetes earlier

The findings could lead to preventative measures being put in place earlier, reducing the economic and health burden caused by the disease.

A new test could help predict people who are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes earlier (Peter Byrne/PA)

A new test analysing changes to DNA in the blood can improve the ability to predict a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a decade, research has found.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh looked at the influence of DNA changes – known as DNA methylation, which is when a small molecule called a methyl group is added to DNA.