The association between self-rated health and impaired glucose tolerance in Swedish adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate gender differences in the association between self-rated health (SRH) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in subjects unaware of their glucose tolerance.DesignA cross-sectional population-based study.SettingThe two municipalities of Vara and Skövde in south-western Sweden.SubjectsA total of 2502 participants (1301 women and 1201 men), aged 30–75, were randomly selected from the population.Main outcome measuresIGT was regarded as the outcome measure and SRH as the main risk factor.ResultsThe prevalence of IGT was significantly higher in women (11.9%) than in men (10.1%), (p = 0.029), as was the prevalence of low SRH (women: 35.4%; men: 22.1%, p = 0.006). Both men and women with low SRH had a poorer risk factor profile than those with high SRH, and a statistically significant crude association between SRH and IGT was found in both men (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.8–4.4) and women (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.2, p = 0.033). However, after controlling for several lifestyle factors and biomedical variables, the association was attenuated and remained statistically significant solely in men (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.3).ConclusionThe gender-specific associations found between SRH and IGT suggest that SRH may be a better indicator of IGT in men than in women. Future studies should evaluate the utility of SRH in comparison with objective health measures as a potential aid to health practitioners when deciding whether to screen for IGT and T2DM.

Does Future Diabetes Risk Impair Current Quality of Life? A Cross-Sectional Study of Health-Related Quality of Life in Relation to the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC)

“…The findings of the present study indicate that the FINDRISC is also inversely associated with the patients current HRQoL. On the other hand, previous studies have demonstrated that the self-perceived health status is associated with current [ 31 ] and future [ 32 ] impairments in glucose metabolism. By substantiating the possible improvement in the glucose metabolism status and HRQoL achieved by lifestyle changes, health care professionals may better convince people at high risk of T2D to take action towards healthier lifestyle habits.…”

Metabolically Healthy Obesity: Is It Really a Benign Condition?

“…6 In another study, impaired glucose tolerance was associated with low SRH. 8 In line with these results, a recent study by Hjelmgren et al 9 published in Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome reported that obese individuals rated their health worse than non-obese individuals. That study reported a novel finding that MHO subjects rated their health similar to other individuals of the same age.…”

Attitudes Regarding Participation in a Diabetes Screening Test among an Assyrian Immigrant Population in Sweden

“…While a health examination for blood pressure and diabetes engaged 66% of the target population in a major city, 81% in a small city in the countryside were willing to participate [22]. In a screening program for type 2 diabetes targeting 10.000 individuals performed in the same city as the present study, the response rate was 66% [23].…”