Beyond Glucose-Rethinking Prediabetes for Precision Prevention.
Rethink prediabetes - new subtypes reveal distinct paths to diabetes and complications. Precision prevention is key to halt tissue damage and reduce the public health burden.
This research paper proposes a paradigm shift in how we view prediabetes. Using unsupervised clustering, the study identified six distinct prediabetes subtypes based on factors like insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and fat distribution. These subtypes show unique trajectories towards diabetes and complications, challenging the one-size-fits-all approach. The findings highlight the need for subtype-specific interventions, such as intensive lifestyle modification or early pharmacologic protection, to prevent the development of serious conditions like kidney disease and cardiovascular problems. Future research should focus on complication-focused, subtype-guided studies to enable tailored therapies and reduce the substantial public health impact of prediabetes.