title: Glycemic status and predictors of relapse for diabetic cats in remission.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unknown if diabetic cats in remission have persistent abnormalities of glucose metabolism and should be considered prediabetic, or have normal glucose tolerance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize glycemic status of diabetic cats in remission and to determine predictors of relapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 cats in diabetic remission and 28 healthy control cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  At a median of 107 days after remission, screening blood glucose concentration was measured on entry to the clinic. After a 24-hour fast in hospital, fasting blood glucose, fructosamine and feline pancreatic lipase concentrations were measured, and 3 hours later, a simplified IV glucose tolerance test (1 g glucose/kg) performed. Twenty cats were monitored for relapse for at least 9 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 21 cats in remission, 19% (4/21) had impaired fasting glucose concentration and 76% (16/21) had impaired glucose tolerance. Of cats followed up for 9 months after testing, 30% (6/20) had relapsed and required insulin treatment. Fasting blood glucose concentration ≥ 7.5 mmol/L (≥ 135 mg/dL) (odds ratio [OR] = 12.8) and severely impaired glucose tolerance (≥ 5 hours to return to <6.5 mmol/L or <117 mg/dL; OR = 15.2) were significantly associated with relapse. Blood glucose concentration >14 mmol/L; 252 mg/dL at 3 hours was significantly associated with relapse (OR = 10.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cats in diabetic remission have impaired glucose tolerance and a minority have impaired fasting glucose concentration and should be considered prediabetic. More severe glucose intolerance and impaired fasting glucose concentration are predictors of relapse. Ongoing glucose monitoring of diabetic cats in remission is recommended.
authors.affiliation: The Cat Clinic, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008049:Lipase
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Glucose tolerance test; Impaired fasting glucose concentration; Impaired glucose tolerance; Prediabetic; Screening glucose