Epidemiology of Isolated Impaired Glucose Tolerance Among Adults Aged Above 50 Years in Rural China.

Introduction Isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT) is a subtype of prediabetes in which an individual demonstrates elevated 2-h post-glucose load glucose levels but normal fasting plasma glucose levels. However, few studies have explored the prevalence and risk factors of i-IGT among adults in rural China. Thus, we aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of i-IGT among adults ≥50 years old in a low-income, rural population in China. Materials and Methods Individuals aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels were included in the final analysis. Fasting and 2-h venous blood samples were collected to assess the selected parameter measurements. Results A total of 2175 individuals were included in this study. The i-IGT prevalence was 22.9% and significantly higher among females than among males (P<0.05). Older age [odds ratio (OR), 1.606; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.101-2.342; P=0.014), hypertension (OR, 1.554; 95% CI, 1.152-2.019; P=0.004), and central obesity (OR, 1.395; 95% CI, 1.099-1.771; P=0.006) were associated with i-IGT. Moreover, white blood cell (OR, 1.089; 95% CI, 1.009-1.175; P=0.029), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR, 1.049; 95% CI, 1.020-1.078; P=0.001), serum uric acid (OR, 1.0003; 95% CI, 1.001-1.004; P=0.001), triglyceride (OR, 1.540; 95% CI, 1.105-2.147; P=0.011), and alanine aminotransferase (OR, 1.012; 95% CI, 1.004-1.021; P=0.004) levels were also linked to i-IGT in the analyzed population. Conclusion Health promotion education and a standardized approach to managing body weight, BP, and lipid and uric acid levels would benefit this low-income population in rural China for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.