When talking about diabetes, everyone is probably familiar with it as a disease caused by insulin hormone abnormalities, which prevent the body from utilizing blood sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels are higher than normal. Once diagnosed, patients must strictly take care of themselves according to the doctor’s advice to reduce the risk of complications. Did you know? Actually, diabetes has warning signs that indicate the condition before it develops, which we commonly call “prediabetes”.
Getting to Know Prediabetes
Prediabetes refers to a condition where the body has higher than normal blood sugar levels. It often occurs alongside other diseases such as high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and obesity. If left untreated, it increases the risk of developing diabetes in the future, as well as complications similar to those in diabetic patients, such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease.
When is it called “Prediabetes”?
- Fasting blood sugar level for at least 8 hours is between 100-125 mg/dL
- Blood sugar level 2 hours after consuming 75 grams of glucose is between 140-199 mg/dL
- Average blood sugar (HbA1c) is between 5.7-6.4%
Risk Factors for “Prediabetes”
They can be divided into 3 factors:
- Non-modifiable risk factors such as age, ethnicity, and family history of diabetes, e.g., parents or siblings
- Modifiable risk factors such as being overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m²) or lack of exercise
- Associated risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood lipids, abdominal obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, history of gestational diabetes, or having given birth to a baby weighing over 4 kilograms
Questions to Assess the Risk of Prediabetes
| Question | Score | |
| Yes | No | |
| 1. Have you ever given birth to a baby weighing over 4 kilograms? | 1 | 0 |
| 2. Do you have a direct relative with type 2 diabetes? | 1 | 0 |
| 3. Do your parents have type 2 diabetes? | 1 | 0 |
| 4. Body mass index > 25 kg/m² | 5 | 0 |
| 5. Under 65 years old and exercises little or not at all | 5 | 0 |
| 6. Age between 45-64 years | 5 | 0 |
| 7. Age over 65 years | 9 | 0 |
If your total score is more than 9, it means you are at risk of “prediabetes”.
Adapted from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetes.pdf. Access April 29, 2017
The Earlier the Treatment, the Lower the Chance of Diabetes
The best treatment for prediabetes is early detection and prompt management through dietary control by choosing healthy foods, aiming to reduce body weight by 5-10%, combined with exercise or increased physical activity. This method is effective and cost-efficient.
Regarding medication for prediabetes, doctors will consider it on a case-by-case basis. Most often, medication is considered for those at high risk who do not show improvement in blood sugar levels or weight after lifestyle modifications.
