Diabetes Risk Calculator (FINDRISC type 2 diabetes score)

Understanding the diabetes risk calculator — concept and principle

This calculator works out the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), an eight-question score that estimates the chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years without a blood test. It shows the score from 0 to 26, the risk level, the estimated 10-year risk, your BMI and the points from age, BMI and waist. Adults checking their own risk and health educators use it.

How it is calculated

• Age: under 45 0; 45–54 2; 55–64 3; over 64 4
• BMI: under 25 0; 25–30 1; over 30 3
• Waist, men: under 94 cm 0; 94–102 3; over 102 4; women: under 80 0; 80–88 3; over 88 4
• Less than 30 minutes of activity daily 2; not eating vegetables or fruit daily 1
• Blood-pressure medicine 2; high blood sugar found before 5
• Family history: second-degree relative 3; parent, sibling or child 5
• Levels: under 7 low (about 1 in 100); 7–11 slightly elevated (1 in 25); 12–14 moderate (1 in 6); 15–20 high (1 in 3); over 20 very high (1 in 2)

The principle

Lindström and Tuomilehto (2003) followed a random sample of Finnish adults for 10 years and found which simple factors predicted drug-treated type 2 diabetes. Waist and BMI reflect body fat, especially fat around the abdomen, which drives insulin resistance. Earlier high blood sugar and family history carry the most points.

Worked example

Defaults: man, 50, 172 cm, 82 kg, waist 96 cm, active every day, vegetables not every day, no blood-pressure medicine, no high sugar found, no family history.

1. BMI = 82 ÷ 1.72² = 27.7.
2. Age 2 + BMI 1 + waist 3 = 6 points.
3. Activity 0 + vegetables 1 + others 0 → FINDRISC = 7.
4. Risk level slightly elevated; 10-year risk about 1 in 25.

How to read the result

A score of 7 means about 4 in 100 people with a similar score developed type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Waist, weight, activity and diet are the factors you can change. A score of 12 or more is a reason to ask about a blood test.

Common mistakes

• Measuring the waist at the narrowest point instead of at the navel.
• Counting gestational diabetes as "no" for high blood sugar.
• Using the score instead of a test when symptoms are present.
• Applying European waist cut-offs without considering ethnicity.

Frequently asked questions

What FINDRISC score is high?

15–20 is high, about 1 in 3 developing type 2 diabetes in 10 years; over 20 is very high.

Does FINDRISC diagnose diabetes?

No. It estimates future risk; diagnosis needs a blood test.

Which factors can I change?

Waist, BMI, daily activity and eating vegetables and fruit.

Sources: Lindström J, Tuomilehto J, "The Diabetes Risk Score: a practical tool to predict type 2 diabetes risk", Diabetes Care 2003;26(3):725–731