Diabetes primary prevention program: New insights from data analysis of recruitment period

Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province evaluates the effectiveness of adopting healthy lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people at high risk of developing it. We aimed to present preliminary data analysis of FINDRISC and laboratory measurements taken during recruitment of people for the Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province in the cities of La Plata, Berisso, and Ensenada, Argentina.

People were recruited through population approach (house-to-house survey by FINDRISC in randomized areas) and opportunistic approach (FINDRISC completed by participants during consultations for nonrelated prediabetes/diabetes symptoms in public and private primary care centres of cities involved). In people with FINDRISC score ≥ 13 points, we evaluated blood concentrations of HbA_1c , creatinine, lipids, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Approximately 3415 individuals completed the FINDRISC populational survey and 344 the opportunistic survey; 43% of the 2 groups scored over 13 points; 2.8 and 75.4% of them, respectively, took the prescribed OGTT. Approximately 53.7% of the OGTT showed normal values and 5.2% unknown T2D. The remaining cases showed 69.5% impaired fasting glucose, 13.6% impaired glucose tolerance, and 16.9% both impairments. HbA_1c values showed significant differences compared with normal glucose tolerance (4.96 ± 0.43%), prediabetes (5.28 ± 0.51%), and T2D (5.60 ± 0.51%). Participants with prediabetes and T2D showed a predominant increase in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol values. In prediabetes, >50% showed insulin resistance.

People with prediabetes/T2D had dyslipidemia associated with insulin resistance, which promotes the development of T2D and cardiovascular disease. Thus, it merits its appropriate treatment.