Conclusions HbA1c is neither sensitive nor specific for detecting pre‐diabetes ; fasting glucose is specific but not sensitive .
Interventions in people classified through screening as having pre‐diabetes have some efficacy in preventing or delaying onset of type 2 diabetes in trial population s. As screening is inaccurate , many people will receives an incorrect diagnosis and be referred on for interventions while others will be falsely reassured and not offered the intervention .
These findings suggest that “ screen and treat ” policies alone are unlikely to have substantial impact on the worsening epidemic of type 2 diabetes .
& NA ; Objectives To assess diagnostic accuracy of screening tests for  pre‐diabetes  and efficacy of interventions ( lifestyle or metformin ) in preventing onset of type 2 diabetes in people with pre‐diabetes .
Effect of metformin on patients with impaired glucose tolerance.
AIMS To evaluate the effect of metformin on glucose metabolism , insulin sensitivity and rate of conversion diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ) . METHODS Seventy subjects with IGT were r and omized under double-blind conditions to receive either placebo ( n = 37 ) or metformin ( n = 33 ) at a dosage of 250 mg three times daily for a duration of 12 months . Glycaemic control , plasma insulin and other biochemical indexes were assessed before and after 3 , 6 and 12 months . RESULT At 12 months the conversion rate to diabetes was 16.2 % in the placebo group compared to 3.0 % for the metformin group ( P = 0.011 ) . Of subjects treated with metformin for 12 months , 84.9 % became normoglycaemic compared to 51.4 % of those receiving the placebo . Significant improvements in fasting glucose , glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were found at 12 months and at intermediate clinic assessment s. CONCLUSIONS Metformin can improve glucose metabolism in IGT patients and may be a treatment option in their management of IGT subjects
Conclusions HbA1c is neither sensitive nor specific for detecting pre‐diabetes ; fasting glucose is specific but not sensitive .
Interventions in people classified through screening as having pre‐diabetes have some efficacy in preventing or delaying onset of type 2 diabetes in trial population s. As screening is inaccurate , many people will receives an incorrect diagnosis and be referred on for interventions while others will be falsely reassured and not offered the intervention .
These findings suggest that “ screen and treat ” policies alone are unlikely to have substantial impact on the worsening epidemic of type 2 diabetes .
& NA ; Objectives To assess diagnostic accuracy of screening tests for  pre‐diabetes  and efficacy of interventions ( lifestyle or metformin ) in preventing onset of type 2 diabetes in people with pre‐diabetes .