The Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) Calculator Overestimates MODY Probability in Hispanic Youth

Authors

• Guido Alarcon
• Anh Nguyen
• Angus Jones
• Beverley Shields
• Maria J Redondo
• Mustafa Tosur

Language

English

Publication Date

6-17-2025

Journal

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

DOI

10.1210/clinem/dgae770

PMID

39492690

PMCID

PMC13032024

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

11-4-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Context: The applicability of the maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) risk calculator to non-White European populations remains unknown.

Objective: We aimed to test its real-world application in Hispanic youth.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of Hispanic youth (< 23 years) with diabetes (n = 2033) in a large pediatric tertiary care center in the United States. We calculated MODY probability for all subjects, splitting them into 2 cohorts based on the original model: individuals who were started on insulin within 6 months of diabetes diagnosis (Cohort 1) and those who were not (Cohort 2).

Results: Cohort 1 consisted of 1566 individuals (median age [25p, 75p]: 16 [13, 19] years, 49% female), while Cohort 2 comprised 467 youth (median age [25p, 75p]: 17 [15, 20] years, 62% female). The mean MODY probability was 5.9% and 61.9% in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, respectively. The mean probability for both cohorts combined was 18.8%, suggesting an expected 382 individuals with MODY, which is much higher than previous estimations (1-5%; ie, 20-102 individuals in this cohort). A total of 18 individuals tested positive for MODY among the limited number of individuals tested based on clinical suspicion and genetic testing availability (n = 44 out of 2033 tested, 2.2% of overall cohort).

Conclusion: The MODY risk calculator likely overestimates the probability of MODY in Hispanic youth, largely driven by an overestimation in those not early-insulin treated (predominantly young-onset type 2 diabetes). The calculator needs updating to improve its applicability in this population. In addition, further research is needed to help better identify MODY in Hispanic youth.

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Young Adult, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Hispanic or Latino, Probability, Retrospective Studies, Risk Assessment, United States, MODY, maturity-onset diabetes of the young, MODY calculator, MODY probability

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Alarcon, Guido; Nguyen, Anh; Jones, Angus; et al., "The Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) Calculator Overestimates MODY Probability in Hispanic Youth" (2025). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 369.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/369