Risk prediction for type 2 diabetes in the German population with the updated German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS)

Based on exclusively non-invasive risk factors the GDRS allows the prediction of the risk for developing type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years. It was derived from data of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study in 2007 and validated in other studies [1]. For public use a web tool and a questionnaire version is available (http://drs.dife.de/). A study investigating the use of the web tool showed that especially people with a higher risk performed the test several times with varying answers of the modifiable risk factors [2]. Feedback from users of the test during the past years made it possible to identify areas which could lead to misunderstandings, although providing additional information. Critical aspects were the evaluation of alcohol consumption with non-drinkers having an increased diabetes risk; the evaluation of moderate smoking where former and current smokers with less than 20 cigarettes per day were valued similar to never smokers; the intake of whole-grain products which was limited to whole-grain bread, although also other whole-grain products (e.g. muesli) might be consumed – especially for breakfast.