Overview

• Peer‑reviewed findings in Diabetes Care draw on genetic and health records from more than 510,000 participants in UK Biobank and Genes & Health.
• About one in seven Black men and one in 63 South Asian men in the UK carry G6PD deficiency, yet fewer than one in 50 are clinically recognised.
• The deficiency makes HbA1c readings appear lower than true glucose levels, contributing to an average four‑year delay in diagnosing type 2 diabetes.
• Men with the deficiency who have diabetes face a 37% higher risk of microvascular complications, including eye, kidney, and nerve damage.
• Study authors and health organisations urge changes to testing practice as WHO advises screening in high‑prevalence groups, though routine UK screening remains uncommon and further validation studies are sought.