New-onset Diabetes among Japanese University Enrollees: Role of Preceding Non-communicable Disorders

Objective This study aimed to clarify the background of non-communicable disorders, including hypertension (HTN), liver dysfunction, obesity, and hyperuricemia, which could be related to the incidence of diabetes, using a cohort of newly enrolled students (aged 18-20 years) at a university in Gifu, Japan. Methods We analyzed data collected over a 12-year period from April 2010 to March 2022 at a university in Gifu, Japan. Materials From the above dataset, we selected individuals who did not have diabetes at admission and who underwent a follow-up examination four years later at the time of their progression to a master's course (n=3,242). Results Five of these participants (0.15%) developed probable diabetes (elevated plasma glucose or HbA1c, or both) and three (0.09%) developed definite diabetes (elevated plasma glucose and HbA1c) by the time of their second visit. A logistic regression analysis of the association between preceding HTN and the risk of new-onset diabetes demonstrated a significant crude odds ratio of 53.7 for probable diabetes and 35.0 for definite diabetes. Crude odds ratios for obesity, liver dysfunction, and hyperuricemia were calculated for probable diabetes, but not for definite diabetes. Conclusion Preceding non-communicable disorders, especially HTN, are remarkable risk factors for diabetes in young adults.