Risk factor Anything that raises the chances of developing a disease. Related Articles: Episode 33: A Real Patient Story – Gestational DiabetesEpisode 35: Diagnosing Obesity in DiabetesEpisode 34: Diabetes and StrokeEpisode 39: Cystic Fibrosis-Related DiabetesEpisode 32: Diabetes, Pancreatitis & Pancreatic Cancer