FRIDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Prediabetes may be associated with a higher risk of future stroke if defined as impaired glucose tolerance or a combination of impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, according to a study published online June 7 in BMJ.

To assess the association between prediabetes and the risk of stroke, Meng Lee, M.D., of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Chiayi, Taiwan, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 prospective cohort studies involving 760,925 patients.

The researchers found that, in eight studies defining prediabetes as fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL, after adjustment for established risk factors there was no significant association with stroke. In five studies defining prediabetes as fasting glucose of 110 to 125 mg/dL, after adjustment there was a significantly increased risk of stroke (relative risk [RR], 1.21; P = 0.03). In eight studies with information about impaired glucose tolerance with or without impaired fasting glucose, after adjustment there was an increased risk of stroke (RR, 1.26; P < 0.001). After exclusion of studies that may have enrolled patients with diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance with or without impaired fasting glucose was independently associated with an increased risk of stroke, after adjustment (RR, 1.20; P = 0.002).

"An immediate implication of our findings is that people with prediabetes should be aware that they are at increased risk of future stroke," the authors write. "Our study also underscored a need to evaluate both fasting glucose and two hour postprandial glucose challenge for identifying people with prediabetes who may be at risk of stroke."

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