INTRODUCTION: Prediabetes is a critical stage preceding diabetes mellitus (DM) which is also associated with an elevated risk of developing DM and related complications. Addressing predictors that influence the progression or regression of glycaemic outcomes in prediabetic individuals can enhance intervention strategies. This study aims to identify key predictors of glycaemic progression among adults with prediabetes in Terengganu, Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 592 prediabetic adults from 28 health clinics in Terengganu between January 2019 and June 2023. Participants were selected based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results indicating prediabetes. Sociodemographic, medical background, and clinical data, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and lipid profiles, were extracted from medical records. Glycaemic outcomes were classified into three categories: reversion to normoglyacemia, persistent prediabetes, or progression to DM, based on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels taken within two years of follow-up. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant predictors influencing these outcomes.
RESULTS: Analysis showed age, BMI, underlying dyslipidaemia, FBS, and triglyceride levels as significant predictors of glycaemic progression. Specifically, each additional year of age and each one-unit increase in BMI raised the likelihood of progression to DM by 3% and 6%, respectively. Participants with dyslipidaemia were noted to have a 67% higher risk of worsening glycaemic status, while increases in FBS and triglyceride levels were associated with 65% and 34% greater odds of diabetic progression, respectively.
CONCLUSION: This study identifies critical predictors of glycaemic outcomes in prediabetic adults, emphasizing the role of age, BMI, dyslipidaemia, FBS, and triglycerides in the disease progression. These findings support the development of targeted interventions that address these risk factors to curb diabetes progression in high-risk individuals, contributing valuable insights into diabetes prevention strategies tailored for Malaysian populations.
