The author investigated the development of abnormalities in the glucose tolerance in 70 subjects, 36 men and 34 women, where both parents were type II diabetics. The mean age of the offspring was 35.2 +/- 7.4 years, the mean follow up period 8.7 +/- 3.9 years. In the present work the blood glucose level and serum insulin after an oral glucose tolerance test are evaluated and compared with the results of tests of a matched control group of 37 healthy subjects without a family-history of diabetes. Based on repeated examinations the group was divided into sub-groups: with a repeatedly normal glucose tolerance (38%) and sub-groups where at least once a borderline glucose tolerance was recorded (19%), or impaired glucose tolerance (24%) and diabetes (19%). These abnormalities developed variably and were associated with an increased and delayed insulin secretion. Insulin resistance developed. A significant difference was found in the blood glucose levels during the initial normal test among offspring with a repeatedly normal glucose tolerance and offspring who changed from normal glucose tolerance to impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. From the prognostic aspect the blood glucose level two hours after glucose administration was most valuable.

Keywords: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 /genetics/; Female; Glucose /metabolism/; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Insulin /blood/; Male