Impaired fasting glycaemia resembles impaired glucose tolerance with regard to cardiovascular risk factors: population-based, cross-sectional study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

AIMS: To compare subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose in relation to risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.
METHODS: A total of 1374 patients (678 female, 696 male) listed with a general practice clinic in Denmark were given an oral glucose tolerance test, a physical examination, and a self-administered questionnaire. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were assessed for 90 participants (48 female, 42 male) with impaired glucose tolerance (including 12 subjects (1 female and 11 male), who also fulfilled criteria for impaired fasting glycaemia) and 51 subjects (20 female, 31 male) with impaired fasting glycaemia (World Health Organization 1999 criteria).
RESULTS: There were no statistical differences with regard to known risk factors for cardiovascular disease between participants with isolated impaired fasting glycaemia and those with impaired glucose tolerance.
CONCLUSIONS: We found noticeable similarities in the cardiovascular risk factor profile in subjects with impaired fasting glycaemia and in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in our population. When planning screening initiatives, it seems relevant to take into account people with impaired fasting glycaemia as well as those with impaired glucose tolerance.