OBJECTIVE: Regression from prediabetes to normal glucose regulation (NGR) was associated with reduced incidence of diabetes by 56% over 10 years in participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS). In an observational analysis, we examined whether regression to NGR also reduced risk for microvascular disease (MVD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the prevalence of aggregate MVD at DPPOS year 11 in people who regressed to NGR at least once (vs. never) during the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Logistic regression assessed the relationship of NGR with retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, individually. Generalized additive models fit smoothing splines to describe the relationship between average A1C during follow-up and MVD (and its subtypes) at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Regression to NGR was associated with lower prevalence of aggregate MVD in models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline A1C, and treatment arm (odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.78, P = 0.011). However, this association was lost in models that included average A1C during follow-up (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.78-1.16, P = 0.63) or diabetes status at the end of follow-up (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.75-1.12, P = 0.40). Similar results were observed in examination of the association between regression to NGR and prevalence of nephropathy and retinopathy, individually. Risk for aggregate MVD, nephropathy, and retinopathy increased across the A1C range. CONCLUSIONS: Regression to NGR is associated with a lower prevalence of aggregate MVD, nephropathy, and retinopathy, primarily due to lower glycemic exposure over time. Differential risk for the MVD subtypes begins in the prediabetes A1C range.
Reference Type
Journal Article
Periodical Full
Diabetes care
Publication Year
2019
Publication Date
Jul 18
Publisher
by the American Diabetes Association
Place of Publication
United States
ISSN/ISBN
1935-5548
Accession Number
PMID: 31320445
Document Object Index
c190244 [pii]
PMID
31320445
PMCID
PMC6702603