Sensory Function and Albumin Excretion According to Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes

OBJECTIVE — The purpose of this study was to examine sensory function and albumin excretion according to categories of glucose tolerance in individuals undergoing screening for diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — Sensory function and albumin excretion measurements were obtained in 636 individuals at the time of screening for diabetes according to American Diabetes Association glucose tolerance criteria. Sensory thresholds were measured by forced-choice techniques. Albumin-to-creatinine ratios were calculated from spot urine samples. RESULTS — Of 90 individuals whose glucose levels were in the range for diabetes, 65 had fasting glucose values126 mg/dl, whereas 25 had 2-h glucose values200 mg/dl, with fasting glucose values126 mg/dl. In covariance analyses, those with fasting glucose levels126 mg/dl had higher vibration (P 0.01) and thermal (P 0.05 for cool and warm) thresholds than those with normal glucose tolerance. This pattern was also evident for albumin-to-creatinine ratios (P 0.001). In contrast, those with 2-h glucose values 200 mg/dl and fasting glucose values 126 mg/dl had sensory threshold and albumin-to-creatinine ratio values similar to those of th