Risk factors to take into account in prediabetes

Abstract

Prediabetes (PDM) is considered an intermediate stage between normoglycemia and diabetes (DM), it represents a significant risk factor for progression to DM, and also for the appearance of both macro and microvascular complications. There is strong evidence that GA constitutes an increasing, curvilinear and progressive risk for the development of diabetes. The study by Nichols et al. showed that for each mg/dl increase in GA, the risk of DM increases by 6%, after controlling other risk factors, comparing patients with GA less than 85 mg/ dl, vs subjects with GA levels of 95 to 99 mg/dl with a Hazard Ratio (HR)=2.33 (95% CI, 1.95-2.79; p<0.0001) of developing DM¹.

Other risk factors associated with prediabetes to take into account are age over 35 years, having a first-degree relative with diabetes, race and ethnic origin with a greater predisposition (African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander), history of gestational diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides >250 mg/dl and/or low HDL cholesterol <35 mg/dl), arterial hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, physical inactivity, high-risk medications, history of pancreatitis, fatty liver, alcohol consumption, smoking, people with HIV².

Intervention studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be effectively prevented or delayed in high-risk individuals^3-4.

Our main task and challenge will be to identify those who would benefit from early detection and interventions to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and its complications.