Diabetes, Type 2—Patient FINDRISC

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Introduction

Should you be screened for type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot produce enough insulin or properly use the insulin it makes.

A Type 2 Diabetes Risk Calculator for Clinicians is available if you require help from your healthcare provider answering some of the questions.

Please note: These recommendations are for screening adults without symptoms of diabetes. They do not apply to those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, those at risk for type 1 diabetes, or those with symptoms of diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

unusual thirst,
frequent urination,
weight change (gain or loss),
extreme fatigue or lack of energy,
blurred vision,
frequent and recurring infections,
cuts and bruises that are slow to heal, and/or
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

It is important to recognize, however, that many people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms.ⁱ

Please speak to your family physician or primary health care provider if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms.

Instructions

Determine your risk level by using our Risk Calculator. Add up your points based on your answer to each question to determine your total risk score. Use your score with the results table to determine your risk.

Risk Calculator

How old are you?
1. 18–44 years (0 points)
2. 45–54 years (2 points)
3. 55–64 years (3 points)
4. 65 years or older (4 points)
What is your body-mass index (BMI) category? Visit bmi-calculator.net for a BMI calculator.
1. Normal (0 points)
2. Overweight (1 points)
3. Obese (3 points)
What is your waist circumference? Waist circumference is measured below the ribs (usually at the level of the navel).
1. Less than 94 cm (less than ~ 37 inches) for men; or Less than 80 cm (less than ~ 31 inches) for women (0 points)
2. 94–102 cm (~ 37–40 inches) for men; or 80–88 cm (~ 31–35 inches) for women (3 points)
3. More than 102 cm (more than ~ 40 inches) for men; or More than 88 cm (more than ~ 35 inches) for women (4 points)
Are you physically active for more than 30 minutes every day? This includes physical activity during work, leisure, or your regular daily routine.
1. Yes (0 points)
2. No (2 points)
How often do you eat vegetables and fruits?
1. Every day (0 points)
2. Not every day (1 points)
Have you ever taken medications for high blood pressure on a regular basis?
1. No (0 points)
2. Yes (2 points)
Have you ever been found to have high blood glucose (e.g. in a health examination, during an illness, during pregnancy)?
1. No (0 points)
2. Yes (5 points)
Have any members of your immediate family or other relatives been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2)? This question applies to blood relatives only.
1. No (0 points)
2. Yes: grandparent, aunt, uncle, or first cousin (but not own parent, brother, sister, or child) (3 points)
3. Yes: parent, brother, sister, or own child (5 points)

Results

Score	Risk	Recommendation
0–14 points	Low to Moderate Risk 1–17% chance of developing diabetes within 10 years.	We recommend not routinely screening for type 2 diabetes.
15–20 points	High Risk 33% chance of developing diabetes within 10 years.	We recommend screening every 3–5 yearswith A1c.
21–30 points	Very High Risk 50% chance of developing diabetes within 10 years.	We recommend annual screening with A1c.

What is A1C?

The A1c test is a simple lab test that reflects your average blood glucose level over the last 3 months. A small blood sample to check your A1c can be taken at any time of the day. For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions for Patients.

Calculator source

Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) questionnaire by Adjunct Professor Jaana Lindström, Diabetes Prevention Unit, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland and Professor Jaakko Tuomilehto, Center for Vascular Prevention, Danube-University Krems, Krems, Austria

Notes

Canadian Diabetes Association