Metabolic characteristics of patients with apparently normal fasting plasma glucose.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of dysglycaemia in patients with fasting glucose <6.1 mmol/L.


METHODS
Consecutive patients referred for OGTT between July 2002 and December 2003 to eight Diagnostic Medical Laboratory depots in the Auckland region of New Zealand were invited to participate. In addition to a standard OGTT, patients' BMI was calculated and HbA1c, fructosamine, lipids, and insulin concentrations were measured. Patients were grouped according to fasting glucose of <5.5 mmol/L=normal, 5.5-6.0 mmol/L="high fives", 6.1-6.9 mmol/L="old" impaired fasting glucose, and greater than and equal to 7 mmol//L=diabetes.


RESULTS
310 patients were studied. 111 patients had a fasting glucose of <5.5 mmol/L, and of these, 23 had IGT and 2 diabetes on OGTT; 85 patients had a fasting glucose 5.5-6.0 mmol/L, and 18 of these had IGT and 11 diabetes on OGTT; 75 patients had a fasting glucose of 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, and of these, 33 had IGT and 21 diabetes on OGTT; 39 patients had a fasting glucose greater than and equal to 7 mmol/L and 38 were confirmed diabetic on OGTT.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the upper limit of normal fasting glucose be lowered to <5.5 mmol/L in line with Australian and American Diabetes Society guidelines.
Braatvedt
Geoff
G
Department of Medicine, University of Auckland/Auckland City Hospital, Auckland. g.braatvedt@auckland.ac.nz
Gamble
Greg
G
Kyle
Cam
C
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001786:Blood Glucose