The oral glucose tolerance test in adults of various ages.

Abstract

AbstractIf glucose intolerance or early maturity‐onset diabetes are to be detected, all adults, even if there is no family history of diabetes, should be tested. A study was made of 489 ambulatory, relatively “healthy” adult patients. They were screened for the detection of diabetes and decreased glucose tolerance, and 300 standard three‐hour oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were also performed. Urinary glucose determinations were made concomitantly.Details of the analytical procedures are given. Standardized dietary preparation is stressed. Formulae for converting whole‐blood glucose values to plasma values are presented. The Wilkerson diagnostic criteria seem the most appropriate for general use.From 5 to 15 per cent of the adults with normal OGTT values had significant glucosuria. The percentage incidences of glucose intolerance and of diabetes increased with age. Patients with 4‐plus glucosuria (quantitatively, at least 2 per cent) should be considered diabetic until proved otherwise, even though the glucose tolerance curve may be normal, since the height of the curve may be related to the low renal threshold. Adults with a significant degree of glucose intolerance need treatment, whether the intolerance be due to diabetes mellitus, or secondary to some other primary disease, or caused by certain therapeutic measures (e.g., surgery, drugs).