title: Prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and other types of dysglycaemia among young twins and singletons in Guinea-Bissau.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Twins may be at increased risk of dysglycaemic disorders due to adverse fetal conditions. Data from Africa regarding this association is limited. We studied impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and other types of dysglycemia among twins and singletons in Guinea-Bissau.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted from February 2011 until March 2012 at the Bandim Health Project, a health and demographic surveillance system site in the capital Bissau. Twins (n = 209) and singletons (n = 182) were recruited from a previously established cohort. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed, along with anthropometrics and collection of clinical and dietary data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age was 16.6 and 14.2 years between twins and singletons, respectively (P = 0.08). Mean birth weight was 2410 vs. 3090 g, respectively (P < 0.001). Twins had higher median fasting- and two hour capillary plasma glucose, 5.4(3.2-8.2) vs. 5.0(3.2-11.5) mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 6.8(3.4-11.3) vs. 6.2(3.2-12.1) mmol/L (P < 0.001), respectively, compared to singletons. The prevalence of IGT was 2.5 % (5/209) vs. 3.5 % (6/182) (RR = 0.73, 95 % CI: 0.20-2.64). 12 % (25/209) of twins had impaired fasting glucose (IFG), compared to 3.5 % (6/182) of singletons (3.63, 1.53-8.62). Dysglycemia (IGT and/or IFG or overt diabetes) was found in 17 % (35/209) vs. 9 % (16/182) (1.90, 1.08-3.37), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twins had higher glucose levels in both the fasting and postprandial state. This may indicate a detrimental effect of the twin fetal environment on glucose metabolism later in life, a result contrary to Scandinavian register studies. The IGT burden was low in this young age group and the risk was similar in twins and singletons.
authors: Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau. ditteegegaard@gmail.com.|Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. ditteegegaard@gmail.com.
authors: Ditte Egegaard
authors: DE
authors: Hennild
authors: Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau.|Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 6, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines (CVIVA), Statens Serum Institute, Artillerivej 5, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Bjerregaard-Andersen
authors: Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau.|Guinean Diabetes Association (ANDD), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
authors: Luis Carlos
authors: LC
authors: Joaquím
authors: The Danish Twin Registry, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløwsvej 9, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors: Kaare
authors: K
authors: Christensen
authors: Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau.|Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Sodemann
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 6, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Elite Research Centre for Medical Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Beck-Nielsen
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 6, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Elite Research Centre for Medical Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.|The Research Unit of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors: Dorte Møller
authors: DM
authors: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006169:Guinea-Bissau / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose
keywords: Diabetes; Fetal origins hypothesis; Impaired fasting glucose; Impaired glucose tolerance; Low birth weight; Sub-Saharan Africa; Twins