Objective: To explore the characteristics of glycemic variability in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Methods: A total of 40 NGT subjects diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were divided into two groups of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or without MetS (Non-MetS) according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), OGTT 2 h blood glucose (2 h BG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and glycemic variability were assessed. Glycemic variability was assessed by calculating standard deviation of MBG (SDBG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE) and means of daily differences (MODD) from the 72 h data of continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in real life. The time of diurnal glycemic variability was also calculated.
Results: No significant inter-group difference existed in FBG, 2 h BG or HbA1c. Glycemic variability was higher in MetS than that in Non-MetS group. But only MAGE (2.12±0.92 vs 1.50±0.68 mmol/L, P=0.02) showed significant inter-group difference. Logistic regression analysis revealed that MAGE was significantly correlated with MetS (OR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.08-6.97, P=0.03) and independently from FBG, PBG, HbA1c and other glycemic variability indices.
Conclusions: Glycemic variability increases in NGT subjects with MetS. And MAGE may better describe the population's glucose metabolism.