Examination of the fasting and 2-h plasma glucose in the light of impairment in beta-cell function: what does the epidemiological data tell us?

Abstract

We re-assess the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h post-load glucose (2HPG) in the diagnosis of both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus by developing a gold standard based on beta-cell function. The gold standard was developed in a cohort of 2,152 adult subjects without severe renal or liver dysfunction that also had a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Beta-cell function was computed based on a composite of insulin secretion (determined based on the insulin and glucose responses to the OGTT) and the homeostasis model insulin resistance index. The X-tile program was used to generate the most appropriate categorie..