Shape of glucose curve can be used as a predictor for screening prediabetes in obese children

Abstract

Aim: We attempted to classify obese children with glucose abnormalities into different categories based on the plasma glucose (PG) at 0, 60, 120 and 180 min and extract the metabolic information from the shape of the PG curve.

Methods: We recruited 1205 obese children and 325 nonobese children. Their body weight, blood pressure, waist and hip circumferences were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out, and glucose, insulin and glucagon levels were tested.

Results: There were six forms of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) curves in obese children in addition to normal glucose tolerance (NGT). 58.3% of obese children had AGT. BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and systolic blood pressure of each obese group were much higher than in nonobese children (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR increased significantly in obese children with high fasting PG and obese children with high fasting and 3-h PG (p < 0.05), and HOMA-β cell increased significantly in obese children with high 1- and 2-h but low 3-h PG (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Abnormal glucose tolerance was highly prevalent when concerning with glucose values at 60 and 180 min. The shape of PG which contains a net of metabolic information can be a predictor for screening prediabetes.

Keywords: Abnormal glucose tolerance; Glucagon; Glucose; Insulin; Obese children.