Global epidemiology of prediabetes - present and future perspectives
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
1Global Medical Affairs, Merck KGaA, Frankfurterstr. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
Insights
Prediabetes, a state of high blood sugar, indicates a significant risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Understanding its varying diagnostic criteria is key to global prevention efforts.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Prediabetes is an intermediate hyperglycaemic state preceding type 2 diabetes.
- Individuals with prediabetes face elevated risks of developing diabetes and related complications.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for mitigating diabetes progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast diagnostic criteria for prediabetes screening.
- To analyze the impact of different glycaemic measures on prevalence estimates.
- To discuss global trends in prediabetes prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on prediabetes definitions and screening guidelines.
- Comparative analysis of diagnostic criteria across various organizations.
- Examination of glycaemic measurement methodologies and their effect on prevalence data.
Main Results:
- Significant variations exist in prediabetes definitions and screening criteria among different health organizations.
- Glycaemic measures and diagnostic thresholds substantially influence prevalence estimates.
- Global prediabetes prevalence is rapidly increasing across all regions.
Conclusions:
- Harmonizing diagnostic criteria is essential for accurate global prevalence assessment.
- Standardized screening approaches can facilitate earlier interventions.
- Addressing the rising global prevalence of prediabetes requires coordinated public health strategies.
Abstract:
Prediabetes is defined as an intermediate state of hyperglycaemia with glucose levels above the normal state but below the diagnostic levels of diabetes. It is increasingly recognised as an important metabolic state, as individuals with prediabetes are at high risk of developing overt diabetes and its associated complications. A better understanding of prediabetes could help with earlier identification, thereby allowing earlier intervention, potentially lowering the number of individuals who go on to develop diabetes. The definitions and screening criteria for prediabetes differ between guidelines published by different organisations, resulting in estimations of prevalence that can vary widely from one another. Despite these differences, these estimates suggest that the number of individuals affected by prediabetes is increasing rapidly in all areas of the world. This short review compares and contrasts the diagnostic criteria for screening of prediabetes, the impact of various glycaemic measures on prevalence estimates, and discusses current and future trends in the global prevalence estimates of prediabetes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Global Climate Change
Introduction to Epidemiology
Causality in Epidemiology
Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
Confounding in Epidemiological Studies
Bias in Epidemiological Studies

