A group of researchers led by Professor Enzo Bonora of the University Hospital in Verona, Italy, assessed the prevalence of postprandial hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 3,284 unselected patients with insulin-naive type 2 diabetes who were treated as out-patients in 500 diabetes clinics in Italy were asked to determine their daily blood glucose profiles over a 1-week period, based on 18 glucose assessments before and 2 hours after meals.

The researchers found that 84% of patients had a postprandial blood glucose level greater than 8.89mmol/L at least once, and 81% had at least 1 change in glucose level of 2.22mmol/L or more. In patients with apparently good glycaemic control, more than 40% of postprandial blood glucose assessments were greater than 8.89mmol/L; 36% of these patients had a change in blood glucose level of 2.22mmol/L or more on over 40% of assessments. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, a longer duration of diabetes, treatment with sulphonylurea, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and the absence of obesity were associated with increased postprandial glucose excursions.

The researchers concluded that postprandial hyperglycaemia occurred frequently in patients with type 2 diabetes, even in those with apparently good glycaemic control.

Diabetologia [published online 11 March 2006]