Sex Differences in the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Adults Aged 50 Years or Older With Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels.

Xinxin Zhang,Shuang Shao,Jinghua Wang,Jun Tu,Jie Liu,Qiuxing Lin,Dongwang Qi,Yuan Yang,Xianjia Ning,Yue Liu,Jingqiu Cui,Conglin Wang

doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.531796

Abstract

AimsAbnormal glucose regulation, which can present as diabetes and prediabetes, has become one of the most common chronic conditions. However, sex differences in the prevalence of and factors associated with abnormal glucose regulation remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to explore sex differences in the prevalence of and factors associated with abnormal glucose regulation in low-income adults in China aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels.Materials and MethodsA total of 2,175 individuals aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels were recruited into this study. After an overnight fast of at least 10 h, individuals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels were measured to determine the state of glucose regulation.ResultsWomen were more likely than men to have isolated-impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT) overall (24.7% vs 20.8%; P= 0.034), among individuals aged <65 years (21.7% vs 15.9%; P= 0.012). Among men, independent risk factors for i-IGT were an age of ≥65 years, hypertension, and high serum uric acid (SUA) and triglyceride levels; independent risk factors for diabetes mellitus (DM) were an age of ≥75 years and alcohol consumption. Among women, independent risk factors for i-IGT were central obesity and high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and SUA; independent risk factors for DM were low education and an elevated white blood cell count.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors (i.e., age, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) associated with high risk of developing DM in men, but poor life style (i.e., obesity) and low education attainment in women. It is necessary for delay or stopping the development of DM among low-income adults in China to implement the personalized scheme of prevention DM between men and women, especially highlight control the risk factors in young and middle aged women.

Highlights

It is well established that outcomes of abnormal glucose regulation include prediabetes and diabetes
A total of 2,647 persons were recruited to the study, and 472 were excluded for having an elevated FPG level (FPG ≥6.1 mmol/L); 2,175 participants were included in the final analyses
In this cross-sectional study, we explored sex differences in the prevalence of and risk factors associated with abnormal glucose regulation in low-income adults aged 50 years or older in northern China with normal FPG levels

Summary

Introduction

It is well established that outcomes of abnormal glucose regulation include prediabetes and diabetes. Over the past few decades, diabetes has become one of the most common noncommunicable chronic diseases [1, 2]. The number of adults with diabetes worldwide increased to 422 million in 2014, almost four times that in 1980 [2]. The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in China has reached 10.9% and 35.7% in 2013, respectively [3], and the prevalence of prediabetes is higher among rural residents than among urban residents [3]. Mortality associated with diabetes has been shown to be higher in rural areas than in urban areas, even though there is a greater number of patients in urban districts [6]

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Discussion

Conclusion