Prediabetes in Young Adults and Its Association With Cardiovascular Health Metrics in the Progression to Diabetes

Abstract

Context: The natural history of young adults with prediabetes and its association with cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics in progression to diabetes remain unknown.

Objective: We examined the association between CVH metrics and the annual incidence of diabetes in young adults with prediabetes.

Methods: This observational cohort study used the JMDC Claims Database. We analyzed 18 908 participants aged 18 to 44 years, with available fasting plasma glucose (FPG) data for 5 consecutive years, and who had prediabetes (FPG 100-125 mg/dL) at the initial health checkup. The ideal CVH metrics were as follows: nonsmoking, body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2, physical activity at goal, optimal dietary habits, blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg, and total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL. We analyzed the association between CVH metrics and the annual incidence of diabetes. We also examined the relationship between 1-year changes in CVH metrics and the subsequent risk of diabetes.

Results: The incidence of diabetes was 3.3% at 1 year and 9.5% at 5 years after the initial health checkup. An increasing number of nonideal CVH metrics have been associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Nonideal BMI, smoking, blood pressure, and total cholesterol level were associated with an increased risk of diabetes. This association was observed both in men and women. A one-point increase in the number of nonideal CVH metric components was associated over 1 year with an increased risk of diabetes.

Conclusion: CVH metrics can stratify the risk of diabetes in young adults with prediabetes. Improving CVH metrics may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Keywords: cardiovascular health metrics; diabetes; epidemiology; prediabetes; young adults.