Abstract
Background Both beta‐cell dysfunction and decreased insulin sensitivity are involved in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), while their relative contribution in the progression to type 2 diabetes still remains controversial. The aim of the present study is to clarify this process in Chinese subjects by using cross‐sectional method.
Methods 2975 Chinese subjects were classified into: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose regulations (IGR), and diabetes mellitus (DM) based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The IGR group was sub‐classified as isolated IFG, isolated IGT and combined glucose intolerance (CGI). The DM group was sub‐classified as normal fasting plasma glucose and 2‐hour hyperglycemia (N0D2), fasting hyperglycemia and normal 2‐hour plasma glucose (D0N2), and both fasting and 2‐hour hyperglycemia (D0D2).
Results As far as insulinogenic index (IGI) was concerned, there was no difference between IFG and IGT in either gender, however, HOMA2‐B% (homeostasis model assessment for beta‐cell function) of IGT was higher than that of IFG and CGI in both male and female (P < 0.05). In the diabetic sub‐groups, IGI of N0D2 was higher than that of D0N2, and both deteriorated compared with those of IGT and IFG, respectively. HOMA2‐B% of N0D2 was still higher than that of D0N2 and D0D2. No significant difference was detected in OGIS and HOMA2‐S% (homeostasis model assessment for insulin sensitivity) between IFG and IGT, and this was the case between N0D2 and D0N2. OGIS and HOMA‐IR of IGR sub‐groups were not different from those of their diabetic counterparts.
Conclusion Failure of beta‐cell function might be the main reason for both IGT and IFG developing into diabetes instead of aggravated insulin resistance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.