IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST AS AN INDICATOR OF DIABETES IN FIRST DEGREE RELATIVES OF DIABETICS

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, physical inactivity etc. Genetic factors are complex and interact with environmental factors in a poorly understood fashion. Impaired glucose tolerance is also reported as risk factors. Methods: This study included 50 first degree relatives of diabetics of both sexes. Subjects were divided into 3 groups on the basis of their age, i.e., age range 14–25 years, 26–35 years, and 36–50 years. Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) was performed on the attendants of diabetic patients admitted in medical wards of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Twenty subjects with no history of diabetes were considered as controls. Duration of study was be 8 weeks. Results: Glucose Tolerance Test was impaired in first degree relatives of diabetes with age group (14–25) compared to their controls but significant differences (p<0.001) were only seen in fasting and in 90 minutes. Variation in GTT and BMI in age ranged 26–35 years showed significant changes after 30 min of taking 50 gm of glucose. In age group 35–50 years there was significant increase of BMI was observed. Increased level of fasting blood sugar and blood sugar after 30 min and 1 hour of taking glucose was also observed. Conclusion: Increased BMI and impaired oral GTT may be an indicator of early detection of diabetes in first degree relatives of both sexes especially in age group 14–25 and 35–50 years. Further work is needed to reach a better conclusion.

Pak J Physiol 2014;10(1-2):3–6