Follow-up of Sumo-wrestlers for 5-14 Years. Relationship of Development of Diabetes Mellitus with Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels of the Initial Glucose Tolerance Test

Abstract

Among 196 active and retired sumo-wrestlers examined by means of a 100 g glucose tolerance test (GTT) in 1968-1969, follow-up data on fasting blood glucose (FBG) were obtained in 40 cases. The types of GTT were divided into 4 categories according to the new criteria of the Japan Diabetic Society as follows: normal, FBG < 140 and 2-hr blood glucose (BG) <130mg/d/: borderline, FBG<140 and 2 hr BG 130-159 mg/dl; IGT, FBG < 140 and 2-hr BG 160-239 mg/dl; and diabetic, FBG ≥140 and/or 2-hr BG ≥240 mg/dl. Seven were already diabetic at the initial survey. Sixteen subjects in the normal type (6/19), borderline type (4/8), and IGT (6/6) groups became newly diabetic. The ratio of increment of serum insulin (μU/ml) to that of glucose (mg/dl) 30 minutes after a 100-g glucose load (JIRI/JBG) was 0.86 ±0.67 (Mean + SD) in subjects who later developed diabetes, while it was 1.39±0. 97 in those who did not (p<0.1). Eleven out of 17 subjects (65%) in the normal-IGT groups with an initial JIRI/JBG lower than 1.0 became diabetic, and 5 out of 16 subjects (31%) of those with an initial JIRI/JBG higher than 1.0 (p<0.1) became diabetic. There was no difference between groups of subjects who became diabetic and those who did not become diabetic in the initial and post-follow-up ages, the status of activity (active or retired), and the initial and subsequent weight index. In conclusion, diabetes occurred more frequently in those who had more impaired initial glucose tolerance and lower ΔIRI/ΔBG. However, a considerable number of subjects with ΔIRI/ΔBG higher than 1.0 at the initial GTT became diabetic. Acquired diabetogenic factors such as obesity, if they are strong, may induce diabetes even in subjects with normal insulin response. © 1984, THE JAPAN DIABETES SOCIETY. All rights reserved.