Prediabetes: a manifest condition
Prediabetes can be defined as IGT or IFG. IGT is characterised by postprandial hyperglycaemia and diagnosed using 2hPG levels. IFG is characterised by fasting. Both are associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. Independent of this risk, both are associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk. Early intervention to reduce hyperglycaemia is essential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with dysglycaemia.
Individuals with prediabetes have IGT and/or IFG.
Although prediabetes is asymptomatic, it is associated with an increased risk of developing both diabetes and CVD.
Treating prediabetes is an essential part of both reducing the diabetes epidemic, and reducing the risk of CVD.
The disease continuum is characterised by decreasing ß-cell functioning and increasing insulin resistance.
Hyperglycaemia is associated with glucotoxicity and hyperinsulinaemia, both of which contribute to ß-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance, and help
Postprandial hyperglycaemia plays a key part in progression of dysglycaemia throughout the disease continuum.
