Prevalence of impaired fasting blood glucose and its relationship with health check-ups in medical staff in Beijing, 2009-2015

Objective To explore the fasting blood glucose (FBG) variation trends and the prevalence of impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) among medical staff in Beijing, 2009−2015. Methods A prospective cohort study, using seven years of follow-up data, was conducted in a large-scale tertiary hospital in Beijing. A total of 1 284 medical staff aged 35 to 60 years were recruited. We divided them into 4 groups according to age and occupational categories, and the level of FBG was tested at the same time each year. Results The number of medical staff who completed all 7 annual FBG tests was 403. There was a stepwise increase in the levels of FBG (4.92 mmol/L, 5.26 mmol/L, and 5.60 mmol/L in the years 2009, 2012, and 2015, respectively; F=100.643, P<0.001). An increasing trend in the prevalence of IFG was also evident (3.7%, 7.7%, and 13.4% in the years 2009, 2012, and 2015, respectively; χ2=39.099, P<0.001). Compared with baseline levels (in 2009), the average levels of FBG and the prevalence of IFG in men and women, as well as in all occupational classes (doctors, nurses, technicians, and other medical employees), were significantly elevated by the year 2015 (all P<0.05). The levels of FBG in male medical staff were higher than that in female medical staff, in both 2009 and 2015 (both P<0.001). Conclusion The trend of increasing FBG levels and IFG cases in medical staff, especially in men, has been a problem for hospitals. Health policy action is urgently needed to deflate the IFG bubbles. Key words: Blood glucose; Attitude to Health; Impaired fasting blood glucose; Health checkup; Health management