Prediabetes: A Review of Current Trends

Abstract

Different organizations have used different criteria to define prediabetes. In order to define prediabetes, the World Health Organization (WHO) use two specific parameters: Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). A person who has impaired glucose tolerance or fasting glucose and at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes is said to have prediabetes. Changes in lifestyle, such as losing weight and exercising or taking metformin is considered as the first line treatments for prediabetes. Nearly 8% of the world’s population is expected to have prediabetes by 2040, and 70% of those people will eventually develop type 2 diabetes. Before fully developing diabetes, most people go through a stage of prediabetes. HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose should be used to screen for diabetes in people over 40 and other high-risk individuals. Despite its preventable nature, prediabetes often goes undiagnosed, leading to delayed interventions that can result in long-term health complications. This underscores the importance of widespread awareness, effective screening methods, and access to healthcare resources for early diagnosis and management. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests a link between prediabetes and cognitive decline, indicating that the ramifications of this condition extend beyond physical health. This short overview speaks about risk factors, diagnosis and therapy of prediabetes.