Prevalence of abnormal glucose regulation in libyan patients presenting for elective coronary angiography

Background: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) frequently have multiple risk factors. Diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have been associated with cardiovascular events and cardiovascular disease mortality. Aim of the study: This study aims to determine the prevalence of abnormal glucose regulation (AGR) among Libyan patients, presenting for elective coronary angiography. Methods: All patients referred for a diagnostic coronary angiogram at the Catheterization Laboratory of National Heart Centre, Tajora, Tripoli, over a period of 1 year from April 2007 to March 2008, were included after consent. Patients with a history of diabetes were excluded from the study. Diagnostic coronary angiogram was performed for all included patients as well as a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 GM glucose. Results: Ninety-nine patients were included in our study, with a mean age of 54.6 ± 11.2 years. 49 (49.5%) of the enrolled patients showed either impaired or diabetic fasting or 2-h OGTT results. 22 (22.2%) patients were diabetic based on fasting blood glucose or 2-h OGGT result, and 21 (21.2%) have IGT. Of the 15 (15.2%) patients with impaired fasting glucose, 7 (46.7%) patient showed diabetic glucose tolerance, and 2 (13.3%) patients have IGT. Among patients with AGR, coronary angiogram showed significant CAD in 36 (73.5%), compared to 28 (56%) of patients with normal fasting and 2-h OGTT results. Conclusion: Abnormal glucose regulation was high among Libyan patients presented for elective angiography. OGTT should be part of the evaluation in this high-risk population.