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 .
Can the onset of type 2 diabetes be delayed by a group-based lifestyle intervention? A randomised control trial
This study was a r and omised control trial with a waiting control group . It was design ed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month , group-based diabetes prevention programme , The Healthy Living Course and assess whether participation in the programme led to changes in modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes among an already at-risk pre-diabetic population . Individuals design ated at risk for diabetes by their general practitioners ( GPs ) were screened using an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test . Volunteers ( N = 307 ) with pre-diabetes were assigned to an intervention or wait-control group in the ratio of approximately 2 : 1 . The sample was pre-tested on biochemical , anthropometric and self-report behavioural , cognitive and mood variables and post-tested either at the end of the educational/support-based lifestyle programme or the end of the wait period . The intervention group significantly improved their diabetes knowledge , motivation to change , positive affect , healthy eating and activity levels and showed significantly greater reductions in weight , body mass index , waist circumference , diastolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose in comparison with controls . The intervention group also changed their diagnostic status from pre-diabetes to non-diabetes at a greater rate than the wait group ( 43 % vs. 26 % ) who received st and ard care from their GPs
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 .