Increased alanine aminotransferase level and future risk of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose among the employees in a university hospital in Thailand

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and future risk of impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes among the employees of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. METHODS: Totally, 2370 and 1619 workers without diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at baseline, respectively, who were 35 years or older were followed during 2001-2005. Diagnosis of IFG and type 2 diabetes was based on the fasting plasma glucose levels of 100-125 and greater or equal to 126 mg/dl, respectively. RESULTS: Higher baseline ALT levels were associated with future diabetes risk in an obvious dose-response manner (the OR [95% CI] for the groups with baseline ALT of 17-22, 23-38, and greater than 38 mg/dl comparing to the group with baseline ALT of 1-16 mg/dl were 4.75 [1.25-18.10], 6.14 [1.54-24.45], and 7.19 [1.32-39.16], respectively). Magnitude of association were even higher among those with existing IFG at baseline. The association patterns were consistent for both genders. Concerning the IFG risk, while those who developed IFG had significantly higher baseline ALT levels than those who remained normal at the end of follow-up period, further analyses did not show that baseline ALT was significantly associated with future IFG risk. CONCLUSION: Present study provided supporting evidence from a cohort of Asian subjects about the ALT and future type 2 diabetes risk.