Fasting Plasma Glucose and the HbA1c Are Not Optimal Screening Modalities for the Diagnosis of New Diabetes in Previously Undiagnosed Asian Indian Community Participants.

Objectives: There is no definitive consensus on the screening algorithm in high-risk communities for diabetes. The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in a high-risk community using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), as well as determine the value of anthropometric measurements and other measures of glycemia in the detection of diabetes.

Method: All participants from the Phoenix Lifestyle project without known diabetes, and who had undergone an OGTT were selected for study. Anthropometric measurements were collected according to accepted guidelines. Diabetes was diagnosed if fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/l, if 2-hour plasma glucose level during OGTT was ≥ 11.0 mmol/l, or if HbA1c ≥ 6.5%.

Results: The prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes was 14.3% (11.7 % age standardized) (women=15.4%; men=11.8%). The prevalence rates were underestimated using FPG criteria, but overestimated when using the HbA1c. The AUC (area under the receiver-operator characteristics curve) was highest for FPG (.879), HbA1c (.855), then anthropometry measures (BMI=.621; waist circumference=.627). For diabetes, at levels >6.3, the discriminant ability (DA) of HbA1c was highest (79%), while a cut-point of ≥5.5mmol/l for FPG yielded a DA= 81.5% (82% sensitivity; 81%; specificity of 81%). There was a low level of agreement between the FPG (Kappa = .506), HbA1c (Kappa = .537), and the OGTT. Age- and sex-adjusted independent determinants of diabetes using stepwise backward logistic regression were age, triglyceride levels and a positive family history for diabetes.

Conclusion: Neither the HbA1c nor the FPG approached adequate predictive accuracy in the diagnosis of diabetes. In view of the high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, this study underscores the need for ongoing national surveillance data.