Epidemiology of Isolated Impaired Glucose Tolerance Among Adults Aged Above 50 Years in Rural China

INTRODUCTION: Isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i–IGT) is a subtype of prediabetes in which an individual demonstrates elevated 2-h post-glucose load glucose levels but normal fasting plasma glucose levels. However, few studies have explored the prevalence and risk factors of i–IGT among adults in rural China. Thus, we aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of i–IGT among adults ≥50 years old in a low-income, rural population in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels were included in the final analysis. Fasting and 2-h venous blood samples were collected to assess the selected parameter measurements. RESULTS: A total of 2175 individuals were included in this study. The i–IGT prevalence was 22.9% and significantly higher among females than among males (P<0.05). Older age [odds ratio (OR), 1.606; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.101–2.342; P=0.014), hypertension (OR, 1.554; 95% CI, 1.152–2.019; P=0.004), and central obesity (OR, 1.395; 95% CI, 1.099–1.771; P=0.006) were associated with i–IGT. Moreover, white blood cell (OR, 1.089; 95% CI, 1.009–1.175; P=0.029), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR, 1.049; 95% CI, 1.020–1.078; P=0.001), serum uric acid (OR, 1.0003; 95% CI, 1.001–1.004; P=0.001), triglyceride (OR, 1.540; 95% CI, 1.105–2.147; P=0.011), and alanine aminotransferase (OR, 1.012; 95% CI, 1.004–1.021; P=0.004) levels were also linked to i–IGT in the analyzed population. CONCLUSION: Health promotion education and a standardized approach to managing body weight, BP, and lipid and uric acid levels would benefit this low-income population in rural China for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.