Contribution of impaired glucose tolerance in subjects with the metabolic syndrome: Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
BACKGROUND
In addition to fasting plasma glucose (FPG), we examined the contribution of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the prevalence of subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MS).


RESULTS
Study participants were white adults in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging who underwent a fasting 2-hour OGTT. In men between the ages of 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 95 years, the prevalence of the MS by Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria (which excludes OGTT) was 11%, 28%, 32%, and 15%, respectively; whereas in women the prevalence was 5%, 12%, 24%, and 16%, respectively. If the current ATPIII dysglycemia criteria also included a 2-hour postchallenge glucose (2hPG) of 7.8 mmol/L or higher, the prevalence of the MS increased from 25% to 33% in men and from 15% to 21% in women (P<.0001). In study participants with FPG less than 5.6 mmol/L, the prevalence of the MS increased from 16% to 23% in men and from 9% to 13% in women. In men between the ages of 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 95 years and FPG less than 5.6 mmol/L, the prevalence of the MS increased to 15%, 32%, 40%, and 29%, respectively (P<.005 for men between 40 and 95 years of age), with inclusion of an abnormal 2hPG. In women between the ages of 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 95 years and FPG less than 5.6 mmol/L, the prevalence of the MS increased to 7%, 14%, 33%, and 31%, respectively, with inclusion of an abnormal 2hPG (P<.001 for women between 60 and 95 years of age).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of the MS is significantly underestimated when the current ATPIII criteria of FPG 6.1 mmol/L or higher is the only determinant of dysglycemia.
Rodriguez
Annabelle
A
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. arodrig5@jhmi.edu
Muller
Denis C
DC
Engelhardt
Martin
M
Andres
Reubin
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides