Appropriate screening interval to detect the development of chronic metabolic diseases

We conducted a cohort study to determine the screening intervals of metabolic disorders.

Participants without diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity who underwent health examinations (2005-2019) in Korea were included. Participants were grouped according to baseline fasting glucose, LDL-C level, blood pressure (BP), and waist circumference (WC). The time to develop metabolic disorders and the percentile of survival time was assessed in each group.

The median follow-up duration was 4.94 years (n=222,413; mean age 37.13 ± 7.49 years). After 8.32(95 %CI 8.22-8.41), 3.01(2.89-3.31), and 1.11(1.03-1.25) years, 10 % of participants developed DM in fasting glucose levels of 100-110, 110-120, and 120-125 mg/dL, respectively. After 8.40(8.33-8.45), 6.33(6.20-6.47), and 1.99(1.97-2.00) years, 10 % developed HTN in BP 120/70, 120/70-130/80, and 130/80-140/90 mmHg, respectively. After 5.99(5.94-6.04), 2.84(2.77-2.90), and 1.36(1.30-1.44) years, 10 % developed dyslipidemia in LDL-C 100-120, 120-140, and 140-160 mg/dL, respectively. After 4.62(4.41-4.80) and 1.67(1.64-1.69) years, 10 % developed abdominal obesity in baseline WC < 80(Women;W)/85(Men;M) and < 85(W)/90(M) cm, respectively.

In adults aged 30-40, the screening interval of metabolic disorders should be individualized based on the baseline metabolic derangement. An individual with borderline values may need an annual screening.