Is There a Clear Threshold for Fasting Plasma Glucose That Differentiates Between Those With and Without Neuropathy and Chronic Kidney Disease?: The Singapore Prospective Study Program

Recent studies suggest that no distinct glycemic threshold consistently differentiates individuals with or without retinopathy. The authors sought to determine whether the same was true for other microvascular complications. They studied 5,094 participants with fasting plasma glucose values and concurrent microvascular complications from 4 previous cross-sectional surveys carried out in Singapore (1982-1998) who attended a follow-up examination in 2004-2007. Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed based on abnormal responses to a 10-g monofilament or neurothesiometer test. Chronic kidney disease was defined in various ways by using albuminuria (urine albumin:creatinine ratio >30 microg/mg) and estimated glomerular filtration rate, alone and in combination. Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 7.5%. For chronic kidney disease, prevalence of albuminuria only was 10.5%, estimated glomerular filtration rate of