Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance as warning signal for diabetes

The obesity branch at Profil is familiar with all aspects of obesity/adiposity research with particular emphasis on comorbidities such as impaired glucose metabolism in terms of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

IGT and IFG are intermediate conditions in the transition phase of normality and diabetes, also referred to as prediabetes. Because there are no symptoms of IGT and IGF, many people have the condition and are unaware of it. Prediabetes as well as diabetes meet established criteria for conditions in which early detection is appropriate. Both conditions are common, are increasing in prevalence, and impose significant health burdens.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defines special categories at increased risk for diabetes (prediabetes):

• IGF as defined by a plasma glucose value of ≥140mg/dL and <200mg/dL (7.8mmol/L and <11.1mmol/L) after a 2–h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
• IFG as defined by a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥100 and ≤125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L).
• HbA1C 5.7-6.4%

People with IGT or IFG are at hight risk of the progression to type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are associated with obesity (especially abdominal or visceral obesity), dyslipidemia with high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol, and arterial hypertension.