Abstract Body: Introduction: Prediabetes is increasingly observed in younger populations, posing long-term health risks such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This study assesses the prevalence of prediabetes and compares demographic and clinical characteristics between prediabetic and non-prediabetic patients aged 18–34 in a primary care clinic.
Hypothesis: We hypothesized that seemingly healthy young adults may have higher rates of prediabetes and associated cardiometabolic risk profiles than previously thought, arguing for the necessity of earlier interventional screening in primary care.
Methods: A prospective evaluation of HbA1c levels in young patients aged 18–34 who established care in a single primary care clinic and were considered healthy was conducted. Patients were categorized as prediabetic (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) or non-prediabetic (HbA1c ≤ 5.6%), excluding known diabetics. Non-prediabetic patients served as controls. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between groups.
Results: Among 95 patients, the prevalence of prediabetes was 13.8%. The prediabetic group was 75% female, while the non-prediabetic group was 70% female. Racial composition in the prediabetic group was 50% Caucasian, 25% Black/African American, and 25% Other; in the non-prediabetic group, it was 62% Caucasian, 26% Black/African American, and 10% Other. Prediabetics had higher mean age (29.5±3.66 vs. 26.6±4.50 years, p=0.035), HbA1c (5.8±0.1 vs. 5.3±0.2%, p<0.0001), and fasting glucose (96.4±13.0 vs. 87.3±8.6 mg/dL, p=0.09). Blood pressure was slightly higher in prediabetics (SBP: 122.5±10.1 vs. 121.2±10.5 mmHg, p=0.75; DBP: 79.4±4.6 vs. 79.1±10.4 mmHg, p=0.90). Pulse pressure, a marker of arterial stiffness, was higher in prediabetics (43.1±5.8 vs. 42.1±12.2 mmHg, p=0.71). Prediabetics had lower BMI (29.6±6.2 vs. 31.8±8.2 kg/m², p=0.55) and vitamin D (23.0±7.4 vs. 26.6±9.8 ng/mL, p=0.26).
Conclusions: Prediabetes affected 13.8% of this young adult cohort, with modest differences in metabolic and cardiovascular risk markers compared to non-prediabetic peers. Given the similarities in risk markers, the findings highlight the importance of early screening for metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities, even in seemingly healthy younger age groups, particularly in primary care settings where early intervention is feasible.