Abstract
         
         
            Background: Recently, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was redefined as fasting plasma glucose
            of 100 - 125 mg/dl, and individuals with IFG and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
            were referred to as having “pre-diabetes”. However, there is a lack of data using
            the new definition of IFG and “pre-diabetes”. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine associations of the metabolic syndrome components
            with the new “pre-diabetes” category in relatively lean Japanese. Methods: Six hundred and sixty-one Japanese study participants underwent a 75 g oral glucose
            tolerance test. They were classified into three groups-normal (n = 225), pre-diabetes
            (n = 308), and diabetes (n = 128). The metabolic syndrome was defined according to
            the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III, as modified
            for waist circumference criteria by the Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region
            of WHO. Results: Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in each group was 10.7 %, 27.9 %, and 53.9 %,
            respectively. Of the metabolic syndrome components, the OR for prevalent pre-diabetes
            was 2.00 (95 % CI, 1.73 - 2.31, p < 0.001) for fasting glucose, 1.93 (95 % CI, 1.54
            - 2.42, p < 0.001) for waist circumference, and 1.36 (95 % CI, 1.10 - 1.68, p = 0.005)
            for triglycerides. Similar associations were found in prevalent diabetes. Insulin
            resistance assessed using Stumvoll’s index was significantly associated with both
            pre-diabetes and diabetes. Conclusion: Pre-diabetes and the metabolic syndrome frequently coexist in relatively lean Japanese.
            This association seems to link with abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance.
         
         
         
            
Key words
         
         
            Impaired fasting glucose - Insulin resistance - Metabolic syndrome - Prediabetes
          
      
    
   
      
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         Dr. Masao Kanauchi
            First Department of Internal Medicine
            
            Nara Medical University · 840 Shijo-cho · Kashihara · Nara 634-0813 · Japan
            
            Phone: +81 (744) 22 30 51
            
            Fax: +81 (744) 28 18 80 · 
            
            Email: kanauchi@nmu-gw.naramed-u.ac.jp