Prediabetes and Endothelial Involvement among Apparently Healthy Persons

Abstract

Prediabetes is a state in between non-diabetic and diabetic conditions. While it is capable of progressing to diabetes, it also holds the potential for reversal of the disease process. Timely detection of this phase is therefore necessary for the control of diabetes. Moreso, persistent hyperglycaemia drives system changes through glycation processes. Notable among these changes are vascular-related complications. This study investigated hyperglycaemic states using glycated haemoglobin among persons previously screened as non-diabetic by fasting plasma glucose. The study also estimated some markers of endothelial involvement among the studied population. This study enrolled 134 apparently healthy middle-aged health workers whose highest fasting plasma glucose level (after 3 consecutive measurements) fell below the lower limit of 6.1 mmol/L used in the classification of prediabetes. Glucose oxidase and ion exchange resin methods were used to respectively assay fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type1 and soluble thrombomodulin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The study observed proportions of 28% prediabetes and 10% diabetes among the participants. Mean values of glycated haemoglobin as well as plasminogen activator type1 and soluble thrombomodulin were significantly higher (p = 0.001) in subjects with prediabetes. Significant correlations were observed between glycated haemoglobin and both markers of endothelial involvement (p = 0.006 for plasminogen activator inhibitor and p = 0.013 for soluble thrombomodulin). This study observed significant vascular involvement in prediabetes.