Assessing the risk of impaired glucose metabolism in overweight adolescents in a clinical setting.
OBJECTIVE
The study aims were to examine the relationship between adiposity and surrogate indices of pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity obtained from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in overweight adolescents and determine which factors best predict impaired glucose metabolism (IGM).


METHODS
In a sample of adolescents (n=209) severity of overweight was determined by relative body mass index (RBMI). Insulin sensitivity (QUICKI, CISI) and beta-cell function (Fasting insulin: FI; Insulinogenic Index: deltaI30/deltaG30).


RESULTS
IGM was present in 26.8% (n=56), of which five had type 2 diabetes (T2DM). IGM prevalence was similar among RBMI strata. Once RBMI reached 150%, pronounced deterioration in CISI occurred (approximately 55%) (P<0.0001) while less dramatic reductions were seen in QUICKI (P<0.05), with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and beta-cell indices remaining stable. Compared to those with normal glucose tolerance, the IGM group exhibited higher beta-cell activity (FI, P<0.0001; deltaI30/deltaG30, P=0.004) with reduced insulin sensitivity (CISI, P<0.0001; QUICKI, P<0.0002). CISI was the single predictor of IGM (P<0.0001). Low insulin sensitivity increased adolescents' chance for IGM (CISI: OR=6.49, 95%CI=2.63, 16.05, P<0.0001; QUICKI: OR=3.16, 95%CI=1.61, 6.05, P=0.0006) as did beta-cell deterioration (deltaI30/delta G30: OR=3.18, 95%CI=1.33, 7.59, P=0.0069). Normal FBG occurred in 37.5% of youth with IGM.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of IGM escalates in overweight adolescents, even at lower levels of overweight, and is associated with pronounced deterioration of insulin sensitivity. Current screening recommendations for FBG underestimate the prevalence of IGM in overweight adolescents thus limiting the opportunity for earlier intervention to prevent progression to diabetes.
Velasquez-Mieyer
P A
PA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tessessee Health Science Center, 50 North Dunlap, Memphis, TN 38103, USA. pvelasquez@utmem.edu
Cowan
P A
PA
Neira
C P
CP
Tylavsky
F
F
D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin