A longitudinal study on glucose tolerance and other cardiovascular risk factors: associations within an elderly population.

From 1971 until 1975, 204 patients from a general practice, aged 64-87 at entry, were examined annually. At every examination body weight, serum lipids, and systolic blood pressure were measured, and a complete glucose tolerance test was carried out. Clinically diagnosed diabetics were excluded. Adjusted for age and sex, the annual change in the area under the glucose curve (AUC) was significantly associated with body weight change. Changes in serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure were also associated with body weight change. The results were independent of potential confounders such as alcohol use, smoking habits, presence of cardiovascular disease, and baseline levels of the different risk factors. The change in AUC was also associated with changes in serum total cholesterol, independent of confounders such as body weight. Changes in AUC were not related to changes in systolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides. The results of this study suggest that changes in glucose tolerance are not only related to changes in body weight, but also to changes in serum cholesterol.