Comparison of men with impaired fasting glycaemia to controls and to diabetic subjects with fasting glycaemia from 7.0 to 7.7 mmol/l: clinical, nutritional and biological status

Abstract

Objective: To compare medical history, clinical, nutritional and biological status of non-diabetic men to subjects with impaired fasting glycemia (glycemia 6.1-6.9 mmol/l) and to newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects (7.0-7.7 mmol/l) according to the criteria proposed by the American Diabetes Association.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of 29,992 men, who were volunteers for a free periodic check-up offered by their medical insurance. Medical history, lifestyle and nutritional habits were recorded using a self-administered questionnaire. Clinical and biological data were also studied. To compare the three groups of subjects - normal, impaired fasting glycemia and newly diagnosed diabetics - three age stratified samples were randomly designed.

Results: Most of the well-known risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus such as overweight, abdominal obesity, familial history of diabetes mellitus, over-consumption of fat and alcohol were present in the group with impaired fasting glycaemia which presented the same risk factors as the group of subjects with fasting glycaemia from 7.0 to 7.7 mmol/l, but to a lesser degree. Hypertension was present in more than 50% of the subjects with impaired fasting glycaemia.

Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, impaired fasting glycaemia is associated with the risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The subjects with impaired fasting glycaemia should be considered at risk for cardiovascular disease and might take advantage from early specific intervention about their lifestyle.