In order to identify the main predictors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in a population with high prevalence of DM - the Japanese-Brazilians -, we evaluated 314 individuals with Japanese ancestry from Bauru, SP, aged 40 years or more, without miscegenation, in 1993 and 2000. The parameters evaluated, obtained in 1993, were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, fasting and 2h after 75g of glucose load glycemia, insulinemia and proinsulinemia, HOMA (function of the b cell and insulin resistance), lipid profile and blood pressure. The glycemic homeostasis evaluated in 2000 showed that individuals with impaired fasting glycemia or impaired glucose tolerance presented a higher risk for the progression to DM2 (60 and 70%, respectively) than normals (19%). The main variables involved in the progression to DM were BMI, waist circumference (only women), systolic blood pressure, fasting and 2h glycemia, and VLDL-cholesterol. These results showed the existing potential for the reduction in the incidence of DM2 in this population, because the main risk factors can be modified by interventions in lifestyle.
Japanese-Brazilians; Diabetes mellitus; Predictors; Insulin; HOMA; Glycemic homeostasis
