Relationship between urine pH and abnormal glucose tolerance in a community-based study.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Health
• Urology

Background:

• The relationship between urine pH and glucose metabolism, particularly prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, remains incompletely understood.
• Investigating potential sex-specific differences in this association is crucial for comprehensive risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between urine pH and abnormal glucose tolerance in a Japanese population.
• To determine if this association differs between men and women, potentially indicating risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Main Methods:

• A community-based, cross-sectional study involving 4,945 Japanese adults.
• Participants were categorized by fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels, and by urine pH.
• Statistical analyses were performed, adjusting for various metabolic and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• In men, lower urine pH was significantly associated with higher fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels.
• Decreasing urine pH levels correlated with increased prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in men.
• A similar trend was observed in women, but it did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• Low urine pH is significantly associated with abnormal glucose tolerance, particularly in men.
• Urine pH measurement may serve as a valuable, non-invasive tool for identifying individuals at high risk of developing diabetes.