Prediabetes in a French overseas territory: Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Implications for type 2 diabetes prevention

Abstract

Background: People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study evaluates clinical, sociodemographic characteristics, and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) of individuals with prediabetes recruited in primary care by their general practitioner (GP) for PREDIABRUN study.

Methods: PREDIABRUN, a prospective cohort study in primary care on Reunion Island, aimed to identify risk factors for developing T2D in 500 adults with prediabetes (18-70 years) between July 2019 and December 2022. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, health, and lifestyle data were collected. Participants were categorized as having known prediabetes if their GP was aware of glucose abnormalities before the study, otherwise as newly diagnosed.

Results: A total of 469 subjects were included, with a median age of 55 years; 58.4 % were women. Employment was more common among men (53.3 %) than women (36.1 %). Precariousness affected 35.4 % overall, with higher rates in women (41.6 %) than men (26.7 %, p < 0.001). The major associated health issues were obesity (40.1 %), musculoskeletal disorders (50.5 %), hypertension (46.3 %) and cardiovascular diseases (11.5 %). The median FINDRISC score was 16 [IQR: 12-19], higher in women (17 [14-20]) than men (15 [11-17], p < 0.001). For more than half the population (55.0 %), prediabetes status was already known. However, lifestyle habits were similar for those with newly diagnosed prediabetes and those with prediabetes already known.

Conclusion: Screened population in primary care on Reunion Island is relatively young, with a high FINDRISC score and numerous medical conditions. Tailored intervention to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity could help prevent diabetes in this high-risk group.

Keywords: Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC); Prediabetes; Primary Care; Reunion Island; Risk Factors.

Fig. 1

Distribution by Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) categories of adult Reunionese subjects with prediabetes at inclusion in the PREDIABRUN cohort study (2019–2022, n = 469). Bar graph showing the proportion of PREDIABRUN participants across Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) categories. FINDRISC estimates the 10-year type 2 diabetes risk based on various health factors. X-axis: FINDRISC categories (Low < 12, Moderate 12–14, High 15–20, Very High > 20); Y-axis: Proportion of Patients (%).