Diabetes, Type 2—CANRISK

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Are you at risk for diabetes?

The following questions will help you to find out if you are at higher risk of having type 2 diabetes. You can have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes without having any obvious warning signs or symptoms. Knowing your risk can help you make healthy choices now that will reduce your risk or even prevent you from developing diabetes.

Instructions

Please answer the questions as honestly and completely as you can. If you wish, a friend or family member can help you to complete this form. Answer all questions. Add up your points for each section to calculate your total risk score.

Note: This questionnaire is intended for adults aged 18 to 74 yearsⁱ.

Risk Calculator

As you get older, your risk of developing diabetes goes up. Select your age group.
1. 18–44 yearsⁱ(0 points)
2. 45–54 years (7 points)
3. 55–64 years (13 points)
4. 65–74 years (15 points)
Are you male or female?
1. Male (6 points)
2. Female (0 points)
Body shape and size can affect your risk of diabetes. How tall are you and how much do you weigh? Use bmi-calculator.net to answer this question. Select your BMI group.
1. BMI less than 25 (0 points)
2. BMI 25 to 29 (4 points)
3. BMI 30 to 34 (9 points)
4. BMI 35 and over (14 points)
Body shape and size can affect your risk of diabetes. Using a tape measure, place it around your waist at the level of your belly button. Measure after breathing out (do not hold your breath). Note: this is not the same as the “waist size” on your pants. Select your measurement.
1. Less than 94 cm or 37 inches for men; or Less than 80 cm or 31.5 inches for women (0 points)
2. Between 94–102 cm or 37–40 inches; or Between 80–88 cm or 31.5–35 inches for women (4 points)
3. Over 102 cm or 40 inches for men; or Over 88 cm or 35 inches for women (6 points)
Your level of physical activity can affect your risk of developing diabetes. Do you usually do some physical activity such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes each day? This activity can be done while at work or at home.
1. Yes (0 points)
2. No (1 points)
What you eat can affect your risk of developing diabetes. How often do you eat vegetables or fruits?
1. Every day (0 points)
2. Not every day (2 points)
High blood pressure is associated with diabetes. Have you ever been told by a doctor or nurse that you have high blood pressure or have you ever taken high blood pressure pills?
1. Yes (4 points)
2. No or don’t know (0 points)
High blood sugar is associated with diabetes. Have you ever been found to have a high blood sugar either from a blood test, during an illness, or during pregnancy?
1. Yes (14 points)
2. No or don’t know (0 points)
Pregnancy-related factors are associated with diabetes. Have you ever given birth to a large baby weighing 9 pounds (4.1 kg) or more?
1. Yes (1 points)
2. No, don’t know, or not applicable (0 points)
Some types of diabetes run in families (blood relatives only). Has your mother ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
1. Yes (2 points)
2. No or don’t know (0 points)
Has your father ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
1. Yes (2 points)
2. No or don’t know (0 points)
Have any of your brothers or sisters ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
1. Yes (2 points)
2. No, don’t know, or not applicable (0 points)
Have any of your children ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
1. Yes (2 points)
2. No, don’t know, or not applicable (0 points)
What ethnic group does your biological (blood) mother and/or father belong to? If more than one group applies, choose the first one that applies (the one with the highest score).
1. South Asian (East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc.) (11 points)
2. East Asian (Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, etc.) (10 points)
3. Black (Afro-Caribbean) (5 points)
4. Aboriginal (3 points)
5. Other non-white (Latin American, Arab, West Asian) (3 points)
6. White (Caucasian) (0 points)
Other factors are also related to developing diabetes. What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
1. Some high school or less (5 points)
2. High school diploma (1 points)
3. Some college or university (0 points)
4. University or college degree (0 points)

Results

Score	Risk	Recommendation
0–32 points	Low to moderate risk 1–17% chance of being diagnosed with diabetes over the next 10 yearsⁱⁱ	The CTFPHC recommends not routinely screening for type 2 diabetes.
33–42 points	High risk 33% chance of being diagnosed with diabetes over the next 10 yearsⁱⁱ	The CTFPHC recommends screening every 3–5 years with A1C.
43–87 points	Very high risk 50% chance of being diagnosed with diabetes over the next 10 yearsⁱⁱ	The CTFPHC recommends annual screening with A1C.

Recommendations are for screening adults without symptoms of type 2 diabetes using blood tests. These recommendations do not apply to adults 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.

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.

Be informed!

Talk to your health care provider about when and how often you should be screened for type 2 diabetes.

About this tool

This tool is an adapted version of the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire (CANRISK). This tool was developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Notes

The original CANRISK tool was specifically created for adult populations aged 40–74. Scores for ages 39 and younger are based solely on the CTFPHC Recommendations on screening for Type 2 diabetes in adults.
The 10-year predictive value of CANRISK has been based on the predictive value of the FINDRISC calculator.