Beta-Cell Dysfunction May Drive Diabetes in Asians

A new published study has found that beta-cell dysfunction, not merely insulin resistance, may explain the early stages of type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians. One-thousand two-hundred sixty-four individuals without known diabetes in the Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program in Chennai, India, had a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, with glucose and insulin measured at 0, 30, and 120 min. Mean age was 44.2 years and BMI 27.4 kg/m²; 341 individuals had NGT, 672 had iIFG, IGT, or IFG plus IGT, and 251 had diabetes. Patterns of insulin resistance or sensitivity were similar across glycemic categories. From the results it was concluded that Asian Indians with mild dysglycemia have reduced beta-cell function, regardless of age, adiposity, insulin sensitivity, or family history. Diabetes Care April 2013