Tracking correlations and predictors of plasma glucose in young adulthood: A comprehensive analysis from adolescence to young adulthood in TLGS study

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2024 Apr:210:111632. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111632. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

Abstract

Aims: We investigated the tracking correlations between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in adolescence with both FPG and 2-hour post-load glucose (2 h-PG) in adulthood, and identified the predictors of FPG and 2 h-PG in young adulthood using traditional risk factors during adolescence and adulthood.

Methods: We included 2188 participants (1033 male) from the Tehran lipid and glucose study within the age ranges 11-18 and 19-40 years during 1999-2018. The area under the curve (AUC) was computed using the growth curve models, and predictors were identified by the linear regression model.

Results: The partial correlation between AUCs of FPG in adolescence and adulthood was 0.37 (P < 0.001). The correlation between AUCs of FPG in adolescence and 2 h-PG in adulthood was 0.17 (P < 0.001). The AUC of FPG was a significant positive predictor for both FPG and 2 h-PG in young adulthood. Other predictors of adult FPG included sex, as well as BMI and the ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol during both adolescence and adulthood.

Conclusions: Tracking correlation was observed for FPG, suggesting that monitoring and managing risk factors in adolescence may have implications for future glucose metabolism in young adulthood.

Keywords: Adolescence; Adulthood; Fasting plasma glucose; Growth curve; Tracking.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose* / metabolism
  • Fasting*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Triglycerides