Increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in all ethnic groups in Mauritius.

AIMS: To describe the prevalence of different stages of glucose intolerance in a population from Mauritius followed over 11 years. METHODS: Population-based surveys were undertaken in the multiethnic nation of Mauritius in 1987, 1992 and 1998, with 5083, 6616, and 6291 participants, respectively. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were included. Subjects aged between 25 and 75 years with classifiable data were identified; 4991, 6463 and 5392 from 1987, 1992 and 1998, respectively. Glucose tolerance was classified according to WHO 1999 criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes increased significantly during the period studied, from 12.8% in 1987, to 15.2% in 1992, and 17.9% in 1998. The increasing prevalence was seen in both men and women, and in all age groups. The prevalence of known diabetes (KDM) increased progressively, and more markedly than the increase in newly diagnosed diabetes (NDM). A diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was more prevalent amongst women whereas impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was more common amongst men. The prevalences of IGT and IFG did not change markedly during the period. The prevalence of diabetes and IGT was similar for participants of Indian, Creole and Chinese background in each survey, and the increasing prevalence of diabetes was seen in all ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, we report an increasing prevalence of diabetes over an 11-year period in Mauritius. This increase was seen in both sexes, and in all age and ethnic groups, and was mainly due to an increase in the numbers of those with known diabetes.     

Irish diabetes detection programme in general practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in patients over the age of 40 years attending their general practitioner (GP) in Ireland, through opportunistic screening, using a three-step screening tool involving self-determined high-risk groups, random venous plasma glucose (RVPG) measurement and oral glucose tolerance tests. DESIGN: In participating general practices, 100 consecutive patients > 40 years, completed a screening questionnaire relating to diabetes-related symptoms and risk factors. Patients with previously diagnosed diabetes were not excluded from the study and the screening instrument included a question about known diabetes. Patients without known diabetes mellitus (DM) and with at least two risk factors and/or symptoms underwent a RVPG test. Those with an RVPG above 5.5 mmol/l underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: Forty-one practices returned 3821 questionnaires. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the study population was 9.2% (353), of whom 23.5% (83) were previously undiagnosed. DM was detected on the basis of an RVPG >11.1 mmol/l in 0.8% (32) of the studied population. DM was detected on the basis of the oral glucose tolerance test in 1.3% (51) of the population. One per cent (39) had a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) > or = 7.0 mmol/l, 0.6% (24) had a 2-h >11.0 mmol/l and 0.3% (12) had both. Diabetes would not have been detected in 12 people had the 2-h test been omitted. The prevalence rate for IFG and/or IGT was 3.9% (148). Of the 103 patients with IGT, 83 (81%) would have been missed had the GTT been omitted. CONCLUSION: Opportunistic diabetes screening in general practice using a screening questionnaire followed by RVPG testing and GTT for those above 5.5 mmol/l is feasible, with a high participation rate. The use of GTTs rather than fasting glucose testing alone improves patient identification, in particular those with IGT who are at higher cardiovascular risk.     

Prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A review of the evidence and its application in a UK setting.

Abstract Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic, multifactorial disease, which affects the quality, quantity and style of life. People with T2DM have a life expectancy that can be shortened by as much as 15 years, with up to 75% dying of macrovascular complications. To reduce the impact of T2DM in the 21st century, we need an approach that not only optimally treats the person with established diabetes but also prevents diabetes from occurring in the first place. The best evidence for prevention of diabetes is for interventions that target individuals at highest risk. Targeting patients who have impaired glucose tolerance with lifestyle changes including physical activity and dietary factors has been shown to be effective in the Chinese, North American and Finnish populations. In order for such lifestyle interventions to be successful in other populations, they need to be culturally sensitive, individualized and sustained. Some pharmacological agents including metformin and acarbose have also been shown to be effective, although the profile of those who respond is different. There continues to be a need to develop and evaluate interventions that target communities and populations at risk in a UK setting.     

Worsening to diabetes in men with impaired glucose tolerance (“borderline diabetes”)

Summary Two hundred and four men with impaired glucose tolerance (borderline diabetes) discovered in a screening examination have been observed for five years and repeated tests of glucose tolerance performed. By pre-determined criteria 27 men worsened to diabetes and this metabolic deterioration was not significantly influenced by treatment with carbohydrate restriction with or without a daily dose of 50 mg phenformin. Of the baseline variables measured prior to treatment allocation only the blood glucose values were significantly predictive of ultimate worsening to diabetes.     

High incidence of type 2 diabetes and increasing conversion rates from impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes in Mauritius

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of different stages of glucose intolerance in a population from Mauritius followed over 11 years. RESEARCH DESIGN, METHODS AND SUBJECTS: Population-based surveys were undertaken in the multi-ethnic nation of Mauritius in 1987, 1992 and 1998 with 5083, 6616 and 6291 participants, respectively. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were included. Three cohorts aged between 25 and 79 years with classifiable glucose tolerance data were identified; 3680 between 1987 and 1992, 4178 between 1992 and 1998, and 2631 between 1987 and 1998. Glucose tolerance was classified according to WHO 1999 criteria. RESULTS: The incidence rate of type 2 diabetes was higher between 1992 and 1998 than between 1987 and 1992. In men, the incidence was similar between cohorts (24.5 and 25.4 per 1000 person-years) whereas the incidence increased in women (23.3 and 16.4 per 1000 person-years). The incidence of diabetes peaked in the 45-54 year age group and then plateaued or fell. The incidences of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) decreased in both men and women. Of normoglycaemic subjects at baseline, more women than men developed IGT and more men than women developed IFG. Of those labelled as IFG in 1987, 38% developed diabetes after 11 years. The corresponding figure for IGT was 46%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we report changes in incidence rates of glucose intolerance over a 11-year period. In particular, differences between men and women were observed. The increased incidence of IGT in women compared with men, and increased incidence of IFG in men compared with women was consistent with, and explains the sex biases seen in the prevalences of these states.     

Incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the elderly German population and the effect of clinical and lifestyle risk factors: KORA S4/F4 cohort study

Aims To determine the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly population in Germany and its association with clinical and lifestyle factors. Methods Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT, World Health Organization criteria) were carried out in a random sample of 1353 subjects (age group 55–74 years; 62% response) in Augsburg (Southern Germany) (1999–2001). The cohort was re‐investigated in 2006–2008. Of those individuals without diabetes (baseline), 887 (74%) participated in the follow‐up. Results Ninety‐three (10.5%) developed diabetes during the 7‐year follow‐up period {standardized incidence rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] per 1000 person‐years: total 15.5; 12.6, 19.1; men 20.2; 15.6, 26.1; women 11.3; 7.9, 16.1}. In both sexes, those who developed diabetes were slightly older, were more obese, had a more adverse metabolic profile (higher glucose values, HbA_1c, fasting insulin, uric acid, and triglycerides) and were more likely to have hypertension at baseline than were participants remaining free of diabetes (P < 0.05). On stepwise logistic regression, age, parental diabetes, body mass index, uric acid, current smoking, HbA_1c and fasting and 2‐h glucose (OGTT) were strong predictors of diabetes incidence. The risk of diabetes was higher in subjects with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (odds ratio 8.8; 95% CI 5.0, 15.6) than in isolated impaired fasting glucose (4.7; 2.2, 10.0), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions For the first time, we have estimated the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly German cohort and demonstrated that it is among the highest in Europe. The OGTT appears to be useful in identifying individuals with high Type 2 diabetes risk. Our results support a role of smoking in the progression to diabetes.     

The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes defined by fasting and 2-h plasma glucose criteria in urban Nepal.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in people aged >/= 40 years in urban communities of Nepal, comparing the fasting and 2-h plasma glucose (PG) criteria for diagnosis of diabetes and to relate the prevalence to age, gender and hypertension. METHODS: Field surveys of fasting and 2-h PG and blood pressure (BP) were done by cluster sampling in seven urban populations of Nepal. Of 1180 eligible individuals invited, 1012 (85.7%) aged >/= 40 years participated. RESULT: The age and sex standardized prevalence of diabetes (known and newly diagnosed), IGT and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) were 19.0%, 10.6% and 9.9%, respectively. Of the total population, 30.5% (37.8% of men and 25.3% of women) had some abnormality of glucose tolerance. Of all diabetic individuals, 54.4% (53.8% of men and 55.1% of women) were undiagnosed. The prevalence of diabetes increased with age until the age of 75 years. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men than in women (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) criterion compared with either FPG or 2-h PG or both criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes was 70.5%[95% confidence interval (CI) 60.7, 78.8] and the corresponding sensitivity of 2-h PG criterion was 79% (95% CI 69.8, 86.1). The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of hypertension (BP >/= 140/90 mmHg) was 22.7%. Hypertension was less common in subjects with normal plasma glucose than in those with diabetes (18.8% vs. 36.7%). Similarly, of all subjects with hypertension, 29.1% had diabetes (known or newly diagnosed) and 43.0% had glucose intolerance of some form. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that diabetes and hypertension are common and related problems in people aged >/= 40 years in urban Nepal. The overall sensitivity of the 2-h PG criteria was greater than that of the FPG criteria for diagnosing diabetes, except in subjects aged >/= 60 years.     

Low birthweight and metabolic abnormalities in twins with increased susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To evaluate the role of environmental intra-uterine factors in determining the birthweights of twins with increased susceptibility to diabetes and discordant for abnormal responses to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and verify the possible association of within-pair birthweight differences and metabolic abnormalities in adult life. METHODS: Forty-six monozygotic (MZ) and 32 dizygotic (DZ) twins were enrolled; 13 MZ twins were discordant for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or hyperinsulinaemia compared to their co-twins. RESULTS: The 13 MZ discordant twins showed significantly lower birthweights than their normal co-twins (P < 0.001). When dividing all twins in those with the highest birthweights within the couple and those with the lowest, all subjects with abnormal OGTT were found in the latter group (P < 0.0001). Within-pair birthweight difference was significantly higher in MZ twins with abnormal OGTT and the metabolic syndrome compared to normal MZ twins. The relative risk of developing the metabolic syndrome was 8.7 (1.6-46.9) when comparing the higher tertile of within-pair birthweight differences (> or = 0.450 kg) to the two lower tertiles (< 0.450 kg). Logistic regression analysis confirmed within-pair birthweight difference as a significant predictor of abnormal responses to the OGTT and the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a causative role for environmental intrauterine factors on the determination of birthweight and support the hypothesis that within-pair birthweight difference, rather than an absolute low birthweight, is responsible for the metabolic abnormalities in the adult life.     

Type 2 diabetes risk in persons with dysglycemia: the Framingham Offspring Study

Aims

Detection of risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults with dysglycemia.

Methods

We used a nested case-cohort prospective design to estimate risk of new diabetes (diabetes treatment or FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L) among 1004 Framingham Heart Study Offspring with baseline dysglycemia [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 5.4-6.9 mmol/L and/or 2-h post glucose load level 7.8-11.0 mmol/L]. Using clinical characteristics previously shown to predict incident T2DM, we used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR), p-values for predictors, and assessment of model discrimination.

Results

At the end of 7 years follow-up there were 118 incident T2DM cases. In a model that included age, sex, elevated blood pressure or blood pressure treatment, lipid-lowering treatment and elevated triglycerides, we found the following additional characteristics to be independently associated with new T2DM: parental history of diabetes (OR 2.28, p = 0.004); excess adiposity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² or waist circumference ≥101.6 cm) (OR 2.04, p = 0.0005), and low HDL-C [<1.0 (men) or <1.3 mmol/L (women)] (OR 2.77, p < 0.0001). The multivariable C-statistic for this model was 0.701, and with glycemic category information included, c = 0.751.

Conclusions

The key non-glycemic traits that predicted later T2DM in adults with dysglycemia were parental history of diabetes, excess adiposity and low HDL-C.     

Alcohol consumption, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in middle-aged Swedish men.

AIMS: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study consisting of 3,128 Swedish men, aged 35-56 years. Oral glucose tolerance testing identified 55 cases of Type 2 diabetes and 172 cases of impaired glucose tolerance. Information on alcohol consumption, family history of diabetes, smoking and physical activity was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: After adjustment for family history, smoking, physical activity and body mass index, the odds ratio of diabetes was 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-4.5) in men with high consumption of alcohol (corresponding to over 12 drinks per week) and 0.7 (0.3-1.8) in moderate consumers (7-12 drinks), compared to occasional drinkers. For impaired glucose tolerance, the corresponding odds ratios were 0.7 (0.5-1.1) and 0.6 (0.4-1.0), respectively. Separate analyses for type of beverage indicated that high consumers of beer, spirits and wine had an odds ratio for diabetes of 2.9 (1.2-6.9), 3.3 (1.4-7.8) and 1.2 (0.5-2.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that high consumption of alcohol increases the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes and that this may primarily concern consumption of beer and spirits. For impaired glucose tolerance, regular alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced prevalence, particularly at moderate levels.     

2型糖尿病预防的药物与非药物干预循证医学研究进展

糖耐量减低(IGT)、空腹血糖受损(IFG)是正常糖代谢发展到糖尿病的一个过渡阶段,与糖尿病的发牛密切相关.研究表明,对此类人群给予药物、非药物干预可以明显减少2型糖尿病的发生,具有重要的临床意义.本文就2型糖尿病的药物与非药物干预的相关研究作一综述.     

Incidence of Type 2 diabetes in England and its association with baseline impaired fasting glucose: the Ely study 1990-2000.

AIM: To determine the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and to examine the effect of different cut-points for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) on diabetes incidence. METHODS: Population-based longitudinal study (1990-2000) with clinical, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, including an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), in 1040 non-diabetic adults aged 40-69 years at baseline. Baseline glucose status was defined as normoglycaemia < 5.6, IFG-lower 5.6-6.0 and IFG-original 6.1-6.9 mmol/l. The all-IFG group included fasting glucose values of 5.6-6.9 mmol/l. RESULTS: The 10-year cumulative incidence of diabetes was 7.3 per 1000 person-years. Diabetes incidence was 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2, 4.8], 6.2 (4.0, 9.8) and 17.5 (12.5, 24.5) per 1000 person-years in those with normoglycaemia, IFG-lower and IFG-original, respectively. Compared with normoglycaemia, the age/sex-adjusted risk [hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI] for incident diabetes was greatest in the IFG-original category (HR 6.9; 3.1, 15.2) and increased to a lesser degree in the IFG-lower (HR 2.5; 1.1, 5.7) and all-IFG categories (HR 4.1; 1.9, 8.7). When adjusted for confounding factors, the magnitude and direction of associations persisted, with HR 1.9, 4.4 and 2.9, for the categories IFG-lower, IFG-original and all-IFG, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes incidence is more strongly related to IFG defined as fasting glucose between 6.1 and 6.9 mmol/l than to the lower category of 5.6-6.0 mmol/l, or entire range of 5.6-6.9 mmol/l. Future studies should examine the association of IFG with cardiovascular outcomes, but for diabetes risk our study supports the use of the IFG cut-point at 6.1 mmol/l.     

Glucose tolerance of offspring of mother with gestational diabetes mellitus in a low-risk population.

AIMS: To describe the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and obesity in offspring of mothers whose pregnancies were complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a low-risk population and to investigate the effect on these outcomes of minimal intervention compared with tight control for management of GDM. METHODS: Eighty-nine children (mean age 9.1 years, 93% Caucasian) were recruited through a follow-up study of women previously involved in a randomized controlled trial of minimal intervention (control group) vs. tight glycaemic control (treatment group) for GDM. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-h glucose tolerance tests (2hGTT) were performed on offspring and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Glucose tolerance and BMI of treatment groups were compared using non-inferiority tests (non-inferiority margin -15%). RESULTS: Of those offspring, 6.9% (5/72) had abnormal glucose metabolism [four children had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and one had Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (all Caucasian)]. Of the four children with IGT, three were male, three had normal BMI, and three had a family history of Type 2 diabetes. Of the 71 offspring who underwent 2hGTT, 25/25 (100%) of the control offspring and 46/46 (100%) of the treatment offspring had normal FBG (FBG < 5.7 mmol/l). Twenty-five of 25 (100%) of control and 42/46 (91.3%) of the treatment offspring had normal glucose tolerance (2hGTT < 7.8 mmol/l) (% difference 8.7, 95% CI -5.6, 20.3). BMI < 85th percentile was found in 25/33 (75.8%) of the treatment group and 44/52 (84.6%) of the control group (difference in percentage -8.9, 95% CI -27.2, 7.8). CONCLUSIONS: School-age children of mothers with GDM are at risk of IGT and overweight, even if from a low-risk ethnic population. FBG was not adequate for screening this population. Minimal intervention for glycaemic control in GDM pregnancies appears to be as effective as tight control for preventing IGT in childhood but not for preventing obesity.     

Normal fasting plasma glucose and risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: the Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Study

AIM: To determine the association of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level within normal range and the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in an Iranian population. METHODS: A total of 806 first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with type 2 diabetes who had FPG levels less than 5.6 mmol/l (100 mg/dl) in 2003 to 2005, and who did not have diabetes or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), were followed through 2010 for the occurrence of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. At baseline and through follow-ups, participants underwent a standard 75 g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: The incidence of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and IFG was 9.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.8-12.4), 28.7 (23.8-33.6), and 33.0 (27.7-38.2) per 1,000 person-years based on 4,489 person-years of follow-up, respectively. FPG was associated with the incidence of diabetes, IGT, and IFG. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for diabetes, IGT, and IFG were 1.36 (1.01-1.84), 1.45 (1.10-1.91) and 1.31 (1.00-1.71), for the highest quintile of FPG compared with the lowest quintile, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in FPG in the normal range is associated with an increase in the incidence of IGT, IFG, and type 2 diabetes. These results prove FPG in the normal range to be useful in identifying apparently healthy FDRs of patients with type 2 diabetes at risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes.     

Problems related to definitions and epidemiology of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: studies throughout the world

Summary Many studies of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus assume that the condition is homogeneous and clearly defined. There are, however, several problems with these assumptions. Thus, definition of Type 2 diabetes is one of exclusion of other types (insulin-dependent, malnutrition-related, gestational and other rarer types) and inevitably contains a heterogeneous group of disorders the aetiology of which is largely unclear, and separation from the insulin-dependent type can be problematic. Diagnosis is also imprecise in asymptomatic subjects due to the lack of accurate diagnostic tools and lack of clear distinction of impaired glucose tolerance. An alternative to the oral glucose tolerance test is urgently needed. Epidemiological studies of Type 2 diabetes and its complications are also fraught with difficulties due to variability of the oral glucose tolerance test, potential problems in glucose measurement, heterogeneity, population selection and problems in international comparisons due to differing age structures and life expectancy. Great care is needed in all studies of Type 2 diabetes to ensure that the groups under study are properly selected, well-defined and fully described.     

Comparison of ADA and WHO screening methods for diabetes mellitus in obese patients. American Diabetes Association.

AIMS: To compare the performance of fasting glycaemia (FG) and oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) in screening for diabetes mellitus in obese patients. METHODS: A consecutive series of 528 (445 female, 83 male) obese (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) outpatients, aged 45.2 +/- 14.3 years, was studied with FG and OGTT. The association of categories of glucose tolerance (diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)) and fasting glycaemia (diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG)) with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were also assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of diabetes and IGT were 20.1 and 22.9%, respectively. FG (> 7 mmol/l) had a sensitivity of 56.7%. Using FG > 6.1 mmol/l, and OGTT in those above the threshold, the sensitivity for diabetes would have been 89.6%, with a positive predictive value of 59.0%, but 68.8% of cases of IGT would not have been detected. Patients with impaired fasting glucose (FG of 6.1-7.0 mmol/l) showed lower insulin sensitivity and impaired beta cell function, and a weaker association to hypertriglyceridaemia, when compared to IGT. CONCLUSION: FG > 7.0 mmol/l does not show a sufficient sensitivity for the screening of diabetes in obese patients. FG > 6. mmol/l has a satisfactory sensitivity for diabetes, but not for IGT. IFG has different pathophysiological features than IGT and cannot be assumed to have the same prognostic value of IGT.     

Early insulin secretion failure leads to diabetes in Chinese subjects with impaired glucose regulation

Background Both beta‐cell dysfunction and decreased insulin sensitivity are involved in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), while their relative contribution in the progression to type 2 diabetes still remains controversial. The aim of the present study is to clarify this process in Chinese subjects by using cross‐sectional method. Methods 2975 Chinese subjects were classified into: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose regulations (IGR), and diabetes mellitus (DM) based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The IGR group was sub‐classified as isolated IFG, isolated IGT and combined glucose intolerance (CGI). The DM group was sub‐classified as normal fasting plasma glucose and 2‐hour hyperglycemia (N0D2), fasting hyperglycemia and normal 2‐hour plasma glucose (D0N2), and both fasting and 2‐hour hyperglycemia (D0D2). Results As far as insulinogenic index (IGI) was concerned, there was no difference between IFG and IGT in either gender, however, HOMA2‐B% (homeostasis model assessment for beta‐cell function) of IGT was higher than that of IFG and CGI in both male and female (P < 0.05). In the diabetic sub‐groups, IGI of N0D2 was higher than that of D0N2, and both deteriorated compared with those of IGT and IFG, respectively. HOMA2‐B% of N0D2 was still higher than that of D0N2 and D0D2. No significant difference was detected in OGIS and HOMA2‐S% (homeostasis model assessment for insulin sensitivity) between IFG and IGT, and this was the case between N0D2 and D0N2. OGIS and HOMA‐IR of IGR sub‐groups were not different from those of their diabetic counterparts. Conclusion Failure of beta‐cell function might be the main reason for both IGT and IFG developing into diabetes instead of aggravated insulin resistance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.