What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=868). Intervention: Universal screening for prediabetes and T2DM. Primary outcome: Diagnosis of prediabetes or T2DM.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the effectiveness of a student-led screening program for early diagnosis of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in an underserved population.

June 7, 2026Diabetes

1979-P: Are We Catching T2DM Early Enough? Retrospective Study of Medical Student Screening Program for Prediabetes/T2DM in an Underserved Population Demonstrates Gaps in Diagnosis in South Carolina

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Key result

Universal screening identifies prediabetes or T2DM in ~57% of underserved, uninsured clinic patients.

n=868

Population

868 clinic patients in South Carolina, at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level with no health coverage.

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

MTMac ThomsonColumbia College - South Carolina DKDeborah KeenColumbia College - South Carolina RJRUDOLPH JOHNSTONEColumbia College - South Carolina

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Universal screening in an underserved, uninsured clinic population identified a high prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM, including nearly 20% who were previously undiagnosed.

Key Points

To evaluate the effectiveness of a student-led screening program for early diagnosis of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in an underserved population.
Retrospective assessment of a screening program by medical student volunteers.
Screening involved measuring HbA1c and blood glucose levels in clinic patients.
Sample included n=868 patients primarily below the Federal Poverty Level.
57.3% of screened patients were diagnosed with T2DM (44.7%) or prediabetes (12.6%).
The screening identified 19.1% of patients as previously undiagnosed with T2DM.
Mean HbA1c of clinic patients was 6.5%, with a mean blood glucose of 170 mg/dl.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=868)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Population

868 uninsured South Carolina residents at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level screened for prediabetes and T2DM at a local clinic.

Exposure

Universal screening for HbA1c and blood glucose by medical student volunteers.

Outcome

Prevalence of prediabetes, T2DM, and previously undiagnosed cases based on HbA1c and blood glucose levels.surrogate

Universal screening in an underserved, uninsured clinic population identified a high prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM, including nearly 20% who were previously undiagnosed.

Cite This Study

Thomson et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=868). Universal screening for prediabetes and T2DM was evaluated on Diagnosis of prediabetes or T2DM. Universal screening in an underserved, uninsured clinic population identified prediabetes or T2DM in 57.3% of patients, with 19.1% of these cases being previously undiagnosed.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a250ac07def13d035e1ac8c https://doi.org/10.2337/db26-1979-p

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Implication

Universal screening in an underserved, uninsured clinic population identified a high prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM, including nearly 20% who were previously undiagnosed.

1979-P: Are We Catching T2DM Early Enough? Retrospective Study of Medical Student Screening Program for Prediabetes/T2DM in an Underserved Population Demonstrates Gaps in Diagnosis in South Carolina

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

1979-P: Are We Catching T2DM Early Enough? Retrospective Study of Medical Student Screening Program for Prediabetes/T2DM in an Underserved Population Demonstrates Gaps in Diagnosis in South Carolina

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider