Risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged and old patients with prediabetes

Objective To analyze the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in the elderly patients with prediabetes, and to provide some references for the prevention and treatment of such patients. Methods 192 cases of prediabetes who took general examination at the clinic of department of endocrinology of our hospital from April, 2015 to April, 2017 were collected and followed up for 12 months. According to whether diabetes occurred during the follow-up period, they were divided into a diabetes group (n=58) and a control group (n=134). The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared; and the logistic regression analysis was performed. Results More patients were ≥ 60 years old, and had family history of diabetes, high TC, high TG, low HDL-C, obesity, high waist to hip ratio, and excessive intake, but fewer had reasonable dietary structure in the diabetes group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, family history of diabetes, high TC, high TG, low HDL-C, obesity, and excessive intake were risk factors for prediabetes patients developing into diabetes, and moderate intensity physical activity was the protective factor. Conclusion Age, family history of diabetes mellitus, high TG, obesity, and excessive intake are the main risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes in the middle-aged and elderly patients. Moderate intensity physical activity is conducive to reducing the risk of the development of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, measures such as reducing fat, controlling weight, reducing intake, seeking unreasonable diet, and moderately participating in physical activity can be taken for such patients, so as to reduce the incidence of progression to type 2 diabetes. Key words: Prediabetes; Type 2 diabetes; Impaired glucose tolerance; Impaired fasting blood glucose