A report on the diagnosis of intermediate hyperglycemia in Korea: A pooled analysis of four community-based cohort studies

Many studies show poor agreement between fasting plasma glucose (FPG)-based and 2-h postchallenge glucose (2-h PG)-based criteria to assess glucose metabolism. We examined the rate of agreement between FPG- and 2-h PG-based criteria in the diagnosis of intermediate hyperglycemia in four representative cohort studies in South Korea and compared the clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) according to their FPG values.

Of 6234 subjects from four population-based studies performed from 1993 to 2000, 4610 individuals with data from a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and no previous history of diabetes were selected. We examined the concordance rate between the FPG and 2-h PG-based criteria. We also investigated the differences in the clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters between individuals with IFG according to their FPG values.

The fasting and 2-h PG criteria had large discordance rates in the diagnosis of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in Korean adults. When individuals with IFG were classified into stage 1 [5.6–6.1 mmol/L (100–109 mg/dL)] and stage 2 [6.1–7.0 mmol/L (110–125 mg/dL)] IFG, individuals with stage 2 IFG are more obese and had higher blood pressure and total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations compared with those with stage 1 IFG. In addition, more individuals with stage 2 IFG were with diabetes as determined by a 2-h PG ≥ 11.1 mmol/L (14.1% vs. 1.9%) (P < 0.05).

Considering the poorer metabolic profile and higher percentage of people with diabetes by OGTT, these data indicate that, in the Korean population, individuals with stage 2 IFG should be treated differently from those with stage 1 IFG. To detect more cases of diabetes, the OGTT is recommended for all individuals with stage 2 IFG and cases with stage 1 IFG with some additional risk factors for diabetes.     

Correlation among fasting plasma glucose, two-hour plasma glucose levels in OGTT and HbA1c

A study was made on the association among 2-h plasma glucose (PG) in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) using correlation and regression equation. Subjects were 13 174 OGTT examinees tested between 1980 and 1998. Blood glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by the HPLC method. As for correlation between 2-h PG and FPG, regression equation of the <60 year group was y=57.1+0.336x (r=0.866, P<0.0001) and that of the 60 year group was y=61.5+0.286x (r=0.814, P<0.0001). FPG was calculated at 124.3 in the <60 year group and 118.7 mg/dl in the 60 year group for 2-h PG of 200 mg/dl, 2-h PG were calculated at 199.5 and 210.7 mg/dl for FPG of 126 mg/dl, respectively. In the <60 year group, FPG were calculated at 121.7 and 124.4 mg/dl and 2-h PG at 193.2 and 199.3 mg/dl for HbA1c of 6.0 and 6.1%, respectively. As for associations between HbA1c and FPG or 2-h PG being high correlation, it is possible to estimate a prevalence of DM in a group using HbA1c6.1%. High correlations were demonstrated among all the three measures; FPG, 2-h PG, HbA1c. If 2-h PG is used in diagnosing diabetes mellitus, an FPG of 126 mg/dl proposed by ADA and World Health Organization (WHO) as a diagnostic level of FPG is an acceptable value for the Japanese.     

Decreased insulin sensitivity and abnormal glucose metabolism start in preadolescence in low-birth-weight children—Meta-analysis and systematic review

AimsOur meta-analysis aimed to analyze glucose and insulin abnormalities in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or low-birth-weight (LBW) young people.MethodsOur data were collected from several databases, including PubMed, AMED and so on. Cohort studies in English were included. SGA or LBW participants comprised the case group, while non-SGA or non-LBW participants comprised the control group. All subjects were younger than 45 years old.ResultsSixteen studies and 10,060 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The case group showed higher levels of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2-h glucose (mean difference (MD) = 0.32 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.52 mmol/L, P = 0.0009) and fasting and OGTT 2-h insulin than the control group (respectively, MD = 7.47 pmol/L, 95% CI 1.77–13.17 pmol/L, P = 0.01 and MD = 105.55 pmol/L, 95% CI 65.43–145.66 pmol/L, P < 0.00001). In the preadolescence group (maximum age or 95% CI of age ≤10 years old), the OGTT 2-h glucose in the case group had an upward tendency compared to the control group, while the OGTT 2-h insulin in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (MD = 118.51 pmol/L, 95% CI 56.80–180.22 pmol/L, P = 0.0002). In the adolescence group (minimum age >10 years old and maximum age≤20 years old or 10 years old<95% CI of age≤20 years old), subjects in the case group showed significantly higher fasting and OGTT 2-h glucose than did the control group (respectively, MD = 0.14 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.04-0.24 mmol/L, P = 0.005 and MD = 0.40 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.08-0.71 mmol/L, P = 0.01). However, fasting and OGTT 2-h insulin in the case group were not significantly different from those in the control group (respectively, MD = 6.56 pmol/L, 95% CI -4.54-17.65 pmol/L, P = 0.25 and MD = 65.89 pmol/L, 95% CI -50.00–181.78 pmol/L, P = 0.27).ConclusionsDecreased insulin sensitivity and abnormal glucose metabolism began early in preadolescence. Furthermore, glucose tolerance was worse in adolescence. LBW or SGA status affects glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity beginning in preadolescence.     

Pulse waveform analysis of arterial compliance: relation to other techniques, age, and metabolic variables

T o assess the physiologic and clinical relevance of newer noninvasive measures of vascular compliance, computerized arterial pulse waveform analysis (CAPWA) of the radial pulse was used to calculate two components of compliance, C1 (capacitive) and C2 (oscillatory or reflective), in 87 normotensive (NlBP, n = 20), untreated hypertensive (HiBP, n = 21), and treated hypertensive (HiBP-Rx, n = 46) subjects. These values were compared with two other indices of compliance, the ratio of stroke volume to pulse pressure (SV/PP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based aortic distensibility; and were also correlated with demographic and biochemical values.

The HiBP subjects displayed lower C1 (1.34 ± 0.09 v 1.70 ± 0.11 mL/mm Hg, significance [sig] = .05) and C2 (0.031 ± 0.003 v 0.073 ± 0.02 mL/mm Hg, sig = .005) than NlBP subjects. This was not true for C1 (1.64 ± 0.08 mL/mm Hg) and C2 (0.052 ± 0.005 mL/mm Hg) values in HiBP-Rx subjects. The C1 (r = 0.917, P < .0001) and C2 (r = 0.677, P < .0001) were both closely related to SV/PP, whereas C1 (r = 0.748, P = .002), but not C2, was significantly related to MRI-determined aortic distensibility.

Among other factors measured, age exerted a strong negative influence on both C1 (r = −0.696, P < .0001) and C2 (r = −0.611, P < .0001) compliance components. Positive correlations were observed between C1 (r = 0.863, P = .006), aortic distensibility (r = 0.597, P = .19) and 24-h urinary sodium excretion, and between C1- and MR spectroscopy-determined in situ skeletal muscle intracellular free magnesium (r = 0.827, P = .006), whereas C2 was inversely related to MRI-determined abdominal visceral fat area (r = −0.512, P = .042) and fasting blood glucose (r = −0.846, P = .001).

Altogether, the close correspondence between CAPWA, other compliance techniques, and known cardiovascular risk factors suggests the clinical relevance of CAPWA in the assessment of altered vascular function in hypertension.     

Glucose and insulin responses to intravenous glucose challenge in relatives of Nigerian patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

We analysed blood insulin and glucose concentrations before and during frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGT) in 2 groups of Nigerian subjects: (A) Control group (n = 18), without a positive family history of diabetes mellitus, and (B) Experimental group (n = 16), comprising age-, sex- and body mass-matched first-degree relatives of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In comparison with Group A subjects, those in Group B had: (i) higher fasting plasma glucose level (mean ± S.E.M., 4.1 ± 0.1 vs. 3.8 ± 0.11 mmol/l, P < 0.05); (ii) similar fasting serum insulin levels (6.7 ± 5.0 vs. 5.8 ± 5.6 mU/l, P = NS); (iii) lower mean incremental area under the first-phase (t = 0–10 min) post-glucose challenge insulin curve (376.9 ± 8.8 vs. 435.6 ± 5.6 mU/min l⁻¹, P < 0.05); (iv) increased incremental area under the second-phase (t = 10–182 min) post-glucose challenge insulin curve (432.9 ± 11.5 vs. 161.3 ± 8.7 mU/min l⁻¹, P < 0.05); (v) reduced K_G rate constant of glucose elimination (0.97 ± 0.12 vs. 1.41 ± 0.12%/min, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the subjects with a positive family history of NIDDM have a reduced beta-cell insulin secretory reserve (from reduced first-phase insulin response), tendency to rebound hyperinsulinemia during the latter phase of the insulin secretory response, a degree of tissue insulin insensitivity (as evident from high fasting plasma glucose despite similar insulin levels) and a diminished glucose disposal rate, in comparison with subjects without a family history of NIDDM. These features predict subsequent development of diabetes and suggest that as in Caucasians, first-degree relatives of Nigerian patients with NIDDM are at greater risk for future development of the disease.     

Anaemia is an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Mild anaemia frequently occurs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), particularly in the advanced stages of the disease. The correction of anaemia with erythropoietin is a therapeutic possibility. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the relationship between the prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin level≤120 g/l) and prognosis in an unselected CHF population. Methods: All consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CHF admitted to our department between January 2000 and April 2000 were considered for the present study. Those with secondary causes of anaemia were excluded. Patients were followed up until November 2001 (>18 months in all survivors), and the end-point of the study was all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 176 patients were enrolled (mean age: 63 years, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification I/II/III/IV: 15/81/51/29; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): 42%, ischaemic aetiology in 62%). In the whole population the mean haemoglobin level was 140±15 g/l. Anaemia was found in 18 (10%) patients, and was significantly more common in women than in men (18 vs. 7%, respectively, P=0.02) and in those with most severe CHF symptoms (frequency in NYHA I/II/III/IV: 0/9/10/21%, respectively; NYHA IV vs. I–III, P=0.03), but not related to the other clinical indices. Univariate analysis revealed NYHA class III–IV (hazard ratio 3.8, 95% CI: 1.6–8.9, P=0.003), low LVEF <35% (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% CI: 1.0–4.9, P=0.04) and anaemia (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2–7.2, P=0.02) as predictors of 18-month mortality. In multivariate analysis, anaemia remained an independent predictor of death when adjusted for NYHA class and LVEF (hazard ratio: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0–6.5, P=0.04). In anaemic patients, 18-month survival was 67% (95% CI: 45–89%) compared to 87% (81–92%) in patients with a normal haemoglobin level (P=0.016). Conclusions: Mild anaemia is a significant and independent predictor of poor outcome in unselected patients with CHF. Correction of low haemoglobin level may become an interesting therapeutic option for CHF patients.     

Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in Japanese Type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy

Aim: To determine whether plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level is elevated in Type 2 diabetic patients with an early stage of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: We studied 71 Japanese Type 2 diabetic patients with normal serum creatinine level (<100 μmol/l) (age 63.0 [60.3–65.6] years old, diabetes duration 15.6 [14.0–17.3] years, HbA1c 7.36% [7.06–7.66%], mean [95% confidence interval, CI]): normoalbuminuric patients (n=36); microalbuminuric patients (n=21); and proteinuric patients (n=14). Plasma VEGF concentration was measured by a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Results: Plasma VEGF concentration was not related to the degree of albuminuria: normoalbuminuric patients (25 [13–95] ng/l, median [25th–75th percentile]); microalbuminuric patients (33 [15–120] ng/l); and proteinuric patients (54 [17–107] ng/l). Plasma VEGF level in patients with retinopathy (25 [15–95] ng/l, n=30) was not elevated as compared to those without retinopathy (53 [14–126] ng/l, n=34). Plasma VEGF tended to correlated negatively with diabetes duration (R's=−.217, P=.0690) and HbA1c (R's=−.221, P=.0647), whereas there was no correlation between plasma VEGF level and age, serum creatinine or urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) of the patients, respectively. Plasma VEGF level in the group of patients with HbA1c equal to or below the median (<7.2%) was significantly higher than that in the group of patients with HbA1c above the median (>7.2%) (P<.05). Conclusions: The results suggested that Type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and those with retinopathy are not necessarily associated with an elevation of circulating plasma VEGF concentration. Plausible association between plasma VEGF level and glycemic control remains to be seen.     

Cognitive dysfunction in older subjects with diabetes mellitus: impact on diabetes self-management and use of care services

Objective: To determine whether cognitive impairment is associated with changes in self-care behaviour and use of health and social services in older subjects with diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods: This was a community based, case-control study of subjects registered with general practices participating in the All Wales Research into Elderly (AWARE) Diabetes Study. The 396 patients aged 65 years or older with known diabetes mellitus were compared with 393 age- and sex-matched, non-diabetic controls. Adjusted odds ratio estimates of normal performance on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clock Drawing Test (numbers and hands) were determined. Information on self-care behaviours and use of services was obtained. Results: A total of 283 (71%) diabetic subjects scored 24 or more on MMSE, compared with 323 (88%) of controls (OR 0.54, P<0.0005). The mean (S.D.) scores were 24.5 (5.1) and 25.7 (4.3), respectively (difference between means 1.22; 95% CI 0.56, 1.88; P<0.001). Clock testing demonstrated that 257 (65%) and 286 (72%) diabetic subjects correctly placed the numbers and hands, respectively, compared with 299 (76%) and 329 (84%) of controls (OR 0.59, P<0.001 and P<0.52, P<0.0005, respectively). Both test scores declined with increasing age, earlier school leaving age and deteriorating visual acuity. Of other variables examined, only need for oral hypoglycaemic drugs or insulin, history of stroke, dementia or Parkinson's disease and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy significantly impaired one or more cognitive test scores. The odds ratios (95% CI) for normal cognitive test results in subjects with diabetes after adjusting for all significant variables was 0.74 (0.56, 0.97), P=0.029 for MMSE scores and 0.63 (0.44, 0.93), P=0.019, and 0.58 (0.38, 0.89), P=0.013, for the numbers and hands parts of the clock test, respectively. In comparison with diabetic subjects with no evidence of cognitive impairment, diabetic subjects with an MMSE score <23 were significantly less likely to be involved in diabetes self-care (P<0.001) and diabetes monitoring (P<0.001). A low MMSE score was also significantly associated with higher hospitalisation in the previous year (P=0.001), reduced ADL (activities of daily living) ability (P<0.001) and increased need for assistance in personal care (P=0.001). Conclusions: Elderly subjects with predominantly Type 2 diabetes mellitus display significant excess of cognitive dysfunction, associated with poorer ability in diabetes self-care and greater dependency. Routine screening of cognition in older subjects with diabetes is recommended.     

Clinical and biochemical outcomes of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Canterbury, New Zealand: a 6-year cohort study

There is a paucity of data regarding outcomes of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A cohort of 447 Type 2 diabetic subjects (208 male, 239 female; age range 30–82 years, median 62 years; and of predominantly European origin) was characterised in a clinic survey in 1989. Individual status (dead or alive) at 1 June 1995 was ascertained. At 6 years, 289 subjects were confirmed as alive and 133 as dead—only 25 were untraceable. Of those subjects identified as alive, follow-up clinical and biochemical data were obtained for 253 (87.5%) individuals. In those subjects, glycated haemoglobin deteriorated from 63.1±18.7 mmol/mol haem in 1989 to 71.7±24.4 in 1995, P<0.0001. An increased prevalence of retinopathy was evident at 6-year follow-up, 59.7% cases in 1995 compared with 39.5% in 1989, P<0.001. Similarly there was an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) (33.6 vs 18.2% of cases), albuminuria (26.5 vs 19% of cases; P<0.001), and hypertension (71.5 vs 54.9% of cases; P<0.001) in 1995 vs 1989, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that glycated haemoglobin (odds ratio (OR) for 18 mmol/mol haem change, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.15–2.85), hypertension (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.40–8.41) and known duration of diabetes (OR for 7 year change, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.24–3.80) were predictors for development of retinopathy. There is therefore a deterioration in glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes over 6 years and an increased prevalence of complications that present strategies in a multidisciplinary specialist diabetes clinic are unable to prevent on a sustainable basis.     

Influence of endogenous hyperinsulinism on high density lipoprotein2 level in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance

We determined the insulin response to an oral glucose ingestion and levels of serum lipoproteins in 25 untreated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in 26 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and in 35 non-diabetic control subjects. The three groups had similar compositions with respect to age and sex distribution. The levels of VLDL triglycende in the subjects with type 2 diabetes or IGT were higher than those in controls. Serum HDL- and HDL₂ cholesterol were significantly decreased in type 2 diabetics, and the subjects with IGT showed a similar tendency. Serum apolipoprotein A-II levels were lower in the male subjects with type 2 diabetes or IGT than in controls. Insulin reponse, i.e., sum of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels at basal, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after a 75-g oral glucose load, negatively correlated to HDL and HDL₂ cholesterol levels (r = −0.396, P < 0.05; r = −0.482, P < 0.001, respectively), and positively correlated to VLDL triglyceride values (r = 0.485, P < 0.001) in the male subjects with type 2 diabetes or IGT. In the female subjects, fasting plasma IRI values significantly correlated to HDL cholesterol (r = −0.496, P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of HDL₂ cholesterol and VLDL trgglyceride. These data show that lipoprotein metabolism, not only in type 2 diabetics, but also in IGT tends to show changes such as decreased HDL₂ cholesterol and increased VLDL triglyceride levels, and which might be related to the hypersecretion of endogenous insulin.     

Serum Ionized Magnesium: Relation to Blood Pressure and Racial Factors

To study potential ionic factors predisposing to vascular disease in hypertension, particularly among black subjects, we used a recently developed combined magnesium and calcium specific, ion selective electrode apparatus to measure extracellular ionized calcium (Ca-ion), ionized magnesium (Mg-ion), and Ca-ion/Mg-ion ratios in the serum of fasting, nonmedicated white and black normotensive (n = 61) and hypertensive (n = 23) subjects, studied consecutively in a tertiary referral center.

Both race and blood pressure status had independent effects on the distribution of Mg-ion values. Although Mg-ion levels for the group as a whole were lower in hypertensive versus in normotensive subjects (0.571 ± 0.012 v 0.601 ± 0.005 mmol/L; P < .01), this was only true of white subjects (0.579 ± 0.021 v 0.620 ± 0.006 mmol/L; P = .0095). The lack of a significant difference in Mg-ion levels between black hypertensive versus normotensive subjects (0.553 ± 0.012 v 0.577 ± 0.007 mmol/L, P = NS) was attributable to the significantly lower Mg-ion levels present in normotensive blacks compared to those in normotensive white subjects (0.577 ± 0.007 v 0.620 ± 0.006 mmol/L, P = .0001). Resultant Ca-ion/Mg-ion ratios were elevated in all black subjects and in white hypertensive subjects.

These data support the presence among hypertensives and among black subjects (independently of blood pressure) of a consistent depletion of circulating magnesium and of an imbalance of calcium and magnesium that may potentiate vascular disease among these subjects.     

Fasting proinsulin and 2-h post-load glucose levels predict the conversion to NIDDM in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance: The Hoorn Study

Summary The aims of the present study were to observe the natural history of impaired glucose tolerance and to identify predictors for development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). A survey of glucose tolerance was conducted in subjects aged 50–74 years, randomly selected from the registry of the middle-sized town of Hoorn in the Netherlands. Based on the mean values of two oral glucose tolerance tests subjects were classified in categories of glucose tolerance according to the World Health Organization criteria. All subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (n=224) were invited to participate in the present study, in which 70% (n=158) were subsequently enrolled. During follow-up subjects underwent a repeated paired oral glucose tolerance test. The mean follow-up time was 24 months (range 12–36 months). The cumulative incidence of NIDDM was 28.5% (95% confidence interval 15–42%). Age, sex, and anthropometric and metabolic characteristics at baseline were analysed simultaneously as potential predictors of conversion to NIDDM using multiple logistic regression. The initial 2-h post-load plasma glucose levels and the fasting proinsulin levels were significantly (p<0.05) related to the incidence of NIDDM. Anthropometric characteristics, the 2-h post-load specific insulin levels and the fasting proinsulin/fasting insulin ratio were not related to the incidence of NIDDM. These results suggest that beta-cell dysfunction rather than insulin resistance plays the most important role in the future development of diabetes in a high-risk Caucasian population.Abbreviations IGT Impaired glucose tolerance - NIDDM non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus - OGTT oral glucose tolerance test - CI confidence interval - W/H ratio waist/hip ratio - BMI body mass index - OR odds ratio     

Postprandial cholesteryl ester transfer and high density lipoprotein composition in normotriglyceridemic non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients

Altered postprandial HDL metabolism is a possible cause of defective reverse cholesterol transport and increased cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients with a normal fasting lipoprotein profile. Ten normolipidemic, normoponderal non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients and seven controls received a 980 kcal meal containing 78 g lipids with 100000 IU vitamin A. Chylomicron clearance was not different, but area under the curve (AUC) for retinyl palmitate in chylimicron-free serum (remnant clearance) was greater in patients (P < 0.02). LCAT activity increased postprandially to the same extent in both groups. In control subjects, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity (CETA) also increased by 20% (P < 0.01 at 6 h) in parallel with a 20% decrease in HDL₂-CE (r= −0.55, P = 0.009). In NIDDM patients, on the contrary, CETA which was 35% higher in the fasting state (P < 0.005), decreased postprandially yet HDL₂-CE remained unchanged. Postprandial HDL₃ of controls were enriched with phospholipid (PL) (30.3 ± 2.6% at 6 h) with respect to fasting (25.6 ± 2.5%, P < 0.01) and to NIDDM-HDL₃ (25.8 ± 1.7% at 6 h, P < 0.01). These results show that variation in plasma CETA has little impact on HDL₂-CE in NIDDH subjects. They support the concept that, in controls, the combined enrichment of HDL₃ with PL, increased LCAT and CETA create the conditions for stimulation of cell cholesterol efflux and CE transfer to apo B lipoproteins. In NIDDM, because of the lesser HDL₃ enrichment with PL and of the inverse trend of CETA, these conditions fail to occur, depriving the patients of a potentially efficient mechanism of unesterified cholesterol (UC) clearance, despite their strictly normal preprandial profile.     

Differential effects of antihypertensive drug therapy on arterial compliance

Although vascular compliance, ΔV/ΔP, is abnormal in essential hypertension and can be improved by antihypertensive drug therapy, it is not clear whether drug-induced changes in compliance are attributable solely to lower achieved blood pressure (BP), and thus equally likely with different drugs possessing similar antihypertensive efficacy. Therefore, we used computerized arterial pulse waveform analysis (CAPWA) to measure capacitive (C1) and oscillatory (C2) components of arterial compliance in essential hypertensive subjects (n = 39) before, and 1 and 3 months after achieving normotensive BP values with administration of either dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists (CaBl, n = 11), converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI, n = 9), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB, n = 9), or β-blockers (BBl, n = 10).

Despite equivalent effects on BP (CaBl: −19 ± 4/−15 ± 2 mm Hg; CEI: −12 ± 3/−13 ± 2 mm Hg; ARB: −10 ± 3/−12 ± 2 mm Hg; and BBl: −14 ± 3/−12 ± 2 mm Hg; P < .005 for each drug v pretreatment), CaBl, CEI, and ARB significantly increased arterial compliance (CaBl: %ΔC1 = 30.0 ± 5.8, %Δ C2 = 43.7 ± 23.3; CEI: %ΔC1 = 32.7 ± 5.4, %ΔC2 = 26.7 ± 7.1; ARB: %ΔC1 = 36.3 ± 11.8, %ΔC2 = 43.6 ± 23.1; P < .01 for CaBl, CEI, and ARB v pretreatment), but BBl did not (%ΔC1 = −3.9 ± 7.6, %ΔC2 = −7.0 ± 11.5, P = not significant v pretreatment, SIG = 0.01 v other drugs). We conclude that for an equivalent effect on BP, arterial compliance improves after therapy with some, but not all antihypertensive drugs. We hypothesize that a greater clinical benefit may result from the preferential use of drugs that concomitantly improve arterial compliance.     

Predicting isolated postchallenge hyperglycaemia: a new approach; Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS).

AIMS: To determine factors predicting isolated postchallenge hyperglycaemia (IPH) defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 7.0 mmol/l and 2-h plasma glucose (2-hPG) >or= 11.1 mmol/l after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and factors influencing the value of 2-hPG in a population-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 15,005 participants in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), we analysed the results of OGTTs in 5386 individuals (2909 women and 2437 men) aged >or= 20 years, free of known diabetes and any other disorders influencing glucose metabolism. Logistic and multiple linear regression models were developed to predict IPH and the 2-hPG, respectively. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of non-diabetic subjects, IPH and undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes mellitus (FPG >or= 7.0 mmol/l) were 94.5% (n = 5088), 2.5% (n = 133) and 3.1% (n = 165), respectively. Of subjects with IPH, 29.3% (n = 39) had FPG levels < 5.6 mmol/l. Factors associated with IPH were FPG (mmol/l) [odds ratio (OR) 11.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9, 15.4], age >or= 40 years (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3, 3.2), abnormal waist circumference (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4, 3.1) and serum triglycerides >or= 1.7 mmol/l (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3, 3.1). In the multiple linear regression model, six explanatory factors (FPG, age, female sex, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference) were positively related to 2-hPG. CONCLUSIONS: The model could predict 47.7% of total variance of 2-hPG. Based on our results in this Iranian population, OGTT can be recommended in subjects with FPG < 7.0 mmol/l in the presence of abnormal waist circumference and triglycerides, age >or= 40 years and in particular when FPG is close to 7.0 mmol/l.     

Clustering of components of the metabolic syndrome and risk for development of type 2 diabetes in Japanese male office workers

To investigate the effects of the clustering of components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) on development of diabetes, we examined 3298 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 years who did not have type 2 diabetes (a fasting plasma glucose level of > or =7.0 mmol/l or receipt of hypoglycemic medication) or a history of cardiovascular disease. Fasting plasma glucose levels were measured at periodic annual health examinations from May 1994 through May 2001. After adjustment for potential risk factors for diabetes, the multivariate-adjusted relative risk of type 2 diabetes compared with the subjects without components of the MS was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.08-2.32), 2.48 (95% CI: 1.69-3.63), 3.10 (95% CI: 2.05-4.68), and 5.22 (95% CI: 3.49-7.83) (P-value for trend <0.001) for those with 1, 2, 3, and > or =4 components, respectively. Even after the subjects were stratified according to fasting plasma glucose level, the clustering of components of the MS was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes for subjects in all three categories of low-normal fasting glucose (a fasting plasma glucose level of <5.1 mmol/l), high-normal fasting glucose (a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.0-6.0 mmol/l), and impaired fasting glucose (a fasting plasma glucose level of 6.1-6.9 mmol/l). These results indicate that clustering of components of the MS associated with diabetes precedes an increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese men.     

Impaired fasting glucose and risk of diabetes in Taiwan: follow-up over 3 years

The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between fasting glucose levels and development of diabetes among residents of Penghu, Taiwan. From July 1995 to June 1996, a population-based cohort study was conducted among residents aged ≥40 years on the island of Penghu, Taiwan. Of the 1601 surveyed, 1306 (81.6%) did not have diabetes. Six hundred of these 1306 persons were re-examined 3 years later. Participants with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration <110 mg/dl (<6.1 mmol/l) were classified as normoglycemic, those with a glucose concentration of 110–126 mg/dl (6.1–7.0 mmol/l) had impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and those with a fasting glucose concentration of ≥126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) were considered to have diabetes. During the 3-year follow-up, 4.3% of the total population (1.4% per year, 95% CI 0.9–1.9%) developed diabetes. Of those with IFG at baseline, 9.6% (3.2% per year, 95% CI 1.8–5.0%) progressed to diabetes, but only 2.5% (0.8% per year, 95% CI 0.4–1.2%) of normoglycemic people did so. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of developing diabetes was 4.4 (95% CI 1.9–10.6) for persons with IFG compared with those who were normoglycemic at baseline. Other significant predictors of progression to diabetes were higher waist–hip ratio (WHR), triglyceride and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels. In this Asian Chinese population, IFG is a strong predictor of diabetes. The high rate of conversion from IFG to diabetes, combined with the previously observed high IFG prevalence, suggests future high prevalence rates of diabetes in Taiwan.     

Diabetes screening after gestational diabetes mellitus: poor performance of fasting plasma glucose

Abstract. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an established risk factor for the development of overt diabetes. Since the change in diagnostic criteria for diabetes in 1997, it is unclear whether there should be any preference for fasting or post-glucose challenge blood glucose in diagnosing diabetes after GDM. The study aimed at assessing the usefulness of both diagnostic methods in women after GDM. The study enrolled 193 women with previous GDM. Women who did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes were screened for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and for glucose intolerance with an oral 75-g glucose tolerance test. A total of 45 (23.3%) subjects declared to be already diabetic. Of the 148 non-diabetic subjects, 141 (95.3%) had normal fasting plasma glucose, whereas four (2.8%) had IFG (i.e. FPG6.1 and <7.0 mmol/l) and 3 (2.5%) had FPG7.0 mmol/l. Upon OGTT, among the 141 subjects with normal FPG, 6 (4.3%) were diagnosed with diabetes and 23 (16.3%) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); the remaining 112 (79.5%) had normal glucose tolerance. Three out of four subjects with IFG had IGT. The sensitivities of fasting criteria for diagnosis of diabetes and IFG/IGT were 14.3% (95% CI, 8.0%–37.2%) and 17.1% (95% CI, 8.6%–19.8%), respectively. The specificities were 98.6% (95% CI, 97.9%–99.7%) and 99.1% (95% CI, 96.5%–100%), respectively. The kappa for diabetes diagnosis was 0.177 (95% CI, 0.018–0.507). For women with previous GDM, the sensitivity of the new criteria based upon fasting plasma glucose is unacceptably low. In addition, the two sets of criteria are not interchangeable. Therefore, we suggest full glucose tolerance diagnostic procedures in women after GDM, including assessment of post-glucose challenge values.     

A postnatal fasting plasma glucose is useful in determining which women with gestational diabetes should undergo a postnatal oral glucose tolerance test.

AIMS: It is recommended that women with gestational diabetes (GDM) should have a 6-week postnatal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). As this test may be unpleasant, time-consuming and has resource implications, we evaluated whether the 6-week postnatal fasting glucose could be used to determine which women should undergo an OGTT. METHODS: All women with GDM, diagnosed according to the World Health Organization criteria, who were delivered at the Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton between May 2000 and May 2002, were recommended to have an OGTT. The results of the fasting plasma glucose concentration were assessed in relation to the 2-h glucose value. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty-two women with GDM were delivered. Thirty (19.7%) women refused an OGTT or failed to attend. In the 122 OGTTs, three (2.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.8, 7) women had diabetes, three had impaired glucose tolerance and four had impaired fasting glycaemia. No woman with a normal test had fasting glucose of > or =6.0 mmol/l. Fasting glucose was correlated with the 2-h glucose (r=0.62, P<0.0001). Only 10 (8.1%) of the OGTTs would have been performed if only women with fasting glucose of > or =6.0 mmol/l underwent the test. The sensitivity and specificity of this approach for the diagnosis of postnatal diabetes is 100% and 94%, respectively. Linear regression methods indicate that it would miss fewer than three in 10 000 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, a 6-week postnatal fasting plasma glucose is useful in determining which women with gestational diabetes should undergo an OGTT. Consequently we now perform OGTT only in women whose postnatal fasting plasma glucose is > or =6.0 mmol/l.     

Urinary sodium and potassium excretion and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in Finland

Aims/hypothesis No previous studies on the association between salt intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes have been reported. The aim of this study was to assess whether high salt intake, measured by 24-h urinary sodium excretion, is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes.Methods We followed prospectively 932 Finnish men and 1,003 women aged 35–64 years with complete data on 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion and other study parameters. Hazard ratios for the incidence of type 2 diabetes were estimated for different levels of 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion.Results During a mean follow-up of 18.1 years, there were 129 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. The multivariate-adjusted (age, sex, study year, body mass index, physical activity, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive drug treatment, education, smoking and coffee, alcohol, fruit, vegetable, sausage, bread and saturated fat consumption) hazard ratio for diabetes for the highest vs combined lower quartiles of 24-h urinary sodium excretion was 2.05 (95% CI, 1.43–2.96). This positive association persisted in non-obese and obese subjects, in normotensive and hypertensive subjects, as well as in men and women. Potassium excretion was not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes.Conclusions/interpretation High sodium intake predicted the risk of type 2 diabetes, independently of other risk factors including physical inactivity, obesity and hypertension. These results provide direct evidence of the harmful effects of high salt intake in the adult population, although the confounding effect of other dietary factors cannot be fully excluded.