Regular blood tests can predict diabetes. Here is everything you need to know.

Washington DC: A recent study has stated that blood tests can detect diabetes, highlighting the need for routine blood tests. According to the study published in "PLOS ONE", random blood glucose tests could be used to predict which patients will develop diabetes.

The researchers found that the glucose levels detected in standard outpatient medical tests revealed the likelihood that patients would develop diabetes over the next five years, even when glucose levels did not reach the level of diabetes. a diagnosis of diabetes.

Research has shown that glucose levels that would not normally be considered indicative of a risk of diabetes can actually predict the development of the disease.

"Although screening for prediabetes and diabetes can lead to faster detection and treatment, many people in the population at risk do not have the necessary screening," said Dr. Mary Rhee, the author Main of the study.

The researchers examined data from these routine blood tests to determine whether random plasma glucose levels could actually predict which patients would develop diabetes in the future. They studied data from more than 900,000 undiagnosed patients with diabetes.

All patients had at least three random blood glucose tests during a year. Most of these tests have probably been obtained "opportunistically", that is to say during regular visits to the doctor not specifically related to diabetes screening.

On a five-year follow-up, about 10% of the total study group developed diabetes. The high randomized plasma glucose levels, although they do not reach the diagnostic threshold of diabetes, accurately predict the course of diabetes over the next five years.

Patients with at least two random blood glucose readings of 115 mg / dL or more over a 12-month period were at high risk of being diagnosed with diabetes within a few years. Glucose levels of 130 mg / dL or higher were even more predictive of diabetes.

As could be expected, it has been established that demographics and risk factors related to diabetes also predicted the development of the disease. The development of diabetes was uncommon in subjects with the highest random plasma glucose levels below 110 mg / dL.

In light of these findings, the researchers recommend that patients undergo diagnostic tests for diabetes, such as fasting glucose or A1c, if they have two random glucose tests showing levels of 115 mg / dL or more.