[Impaired fasting glucose and risk of diabetes mellitus at 10 years. Cohort study]

Abstract

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to define the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with impaired fasting glucose and its association with risk factors.

Patients and method: 115 patients aged > 18 years old, randomly selected in a Healthcare Center, diagnosed of impaired fasting glucose with 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria, followed 10 years. Predictive factors for developing diabetes mellitus were: age, sex, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, antecedent of diabetes in pregnancy, and obesity.

Results: During the 10 years of follow-up, 33 patients developed type 2 diabetes mellitus (28.7%; 95% CI 20.4-37.0%), 57 patients progressed to normoglycaemia (49.6%; 95% CI 40.4-58.7%), and 25 patients remained with an impaired fasting glucose (21.7%; 95% CI 14.2-29.3%). Only obesity was associated with progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjusted hazard ratio 2.01; 95% CI 1.00-4.03, p=0.050).

Conclusions: Half of the patients with impaired fasting glucose normalized their glycaemia, and 28.7% developed diabetes mellitus, especially patients with obesity. These results suggest a different natural history to respect glucose intolerance.