The following is a summary of “Association Between a First‐Degree Family History and Self‐Reported Personal History of Obesity, Diabetes, and Heart and Blood Conditions: Results From the All of Us Research Program,” published in the November 2023 issue of Cardiology by Rasooly et al.

Family history stands as a significant risk factor for various health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and heart/blood conditions (ODHB), reflecting a complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and shared environmental factors. However, understanding the extent of these associations across different ODHBs remains limited.

Within the All of Us Research Program, a diverse longitudinal cohort study in the US involving adults (age ≥20 years), the researchers examined the correlation between self-reported family history of ODHBs and the associated risks. Utilizing a family history-wide association study (FamWAS), they systematically explored the connection between a first-degree family history of 15 ODHBs. Among 125,430 participants, 76.8% reported a family history of any ODHB, prominently hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart attack. Employing FamWAS, the study group identified 225 familial associations among these 15 ODHBs. Notably, the results revealed interconnected associations between distinct cardiometabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease) and their related risk factors (like obesity and hypertension). Individuals with a family history of one ODHB showed 1.1 to 5.6 times increased odds (averaging 1.5 times) of experiencing a different ODHB.

These findings underscore the value of leveraging family history data as an effective risk assessment and screening tool in preventing ODHBs. Moreover, they shed light on shared risk factors and underlying pathogenic mechanisms, providing valuable insights for preventive strategies.

Source: ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.030779