Evaluation of diagnostic parameters in detecting prediabetes in a cohort of Syrian healthcare providers and staff: correlations with risk factors

Diabetes is spreading more rapidly in lower-middle-income countries like Syria. Early prevention programs are crucial and achievable through identification, treatment, and revision of prediabetes. Evaluation of hyperglycemia diagnostic parameters (FPG, OGTT, HbA1c) in detecting prediabetes was executed through three phases of screening asymptomatic adults and applying the parameters sequentially. Relationships with risk factors from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) were assessed. Correlations amongst lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and TG) and hyperglycemic parameters were additionally explored. Participants (212) were mainly males (60.4%), married (61.5%), healthcare providers (28.8%), and had first-degree relatives with diabetes (32%). 10.6% had hypertension, 6.8% had dyslipidemia, and 10.7% of the female participants had PCO. Following the ADA criteria, 18% and 1.9% of the participants were diagnosed with prediabetes and diabetes, respectively. The cohort of participants with prediabetes and diabetes had higher percentage of first-degree relative with diabetes (70%), obesity (55%), hypertension (25%), dyslipidemia (15%), and PCO in females (20%). They were mainly professors (40%) and healthcare providers (25%). Interrelations amongst the hyperglycemic parameters were revealed, also with lipids and risk factors mainly age, BMI, familial diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Reports on prediabetes are scarce in Syria. This study, one of a few on the topic, investigated the hyperglycemic parameters in detecting prediabetes and revealed the prevalence and the correlation with risk factors and lipids. It adds substantial information to our understanding of the intertwined associations of the studied variables.