Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most widespread chronic diseases globally, with its prevalence expected to rise significantly in the years ahead. Previous studies on risk stratification for T2DM identify certain biomarkers, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), fructosamine, and glycated albumin, as key indicators for predicting the onset and progression of T2DM. However, these traditional markers have been shown to lack sensitivity and specificity and their results are difficult to analyze due to non-standardized interpretation criteria, posing significant challenges to an accurate and definitive diagnosis. The strict measures of these traditional markers may not catch gradual increases in blood sugar levels during the early stages of diabetes evolution, as these might still fall within acceptable glycemic parameters. Recent advancements in research have suggested novel micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) as circulatory molecules that can facilitate the early detection of prediabetic conditions in high-risk groups and potentially enable prevention of the progression to T2DM. This capability makes them a very powerful tool for potentially improving population health, enhancing outcomes for many patients, and reducing the overall burden of T2DM. These promising biomarkers are small, noncoding RNA involved in the regulation of many cellular functions that have a hand in the metabolic activities of cells, making them a very useful and relevant biomarker to explore for the diagnosis and risk stratification of T2DM. This review analyzes the current literature, outlining the occurrence of miRNAs in prediabetic and diabetic individuals and their implications in predicting dysglycemic disorders.