Pre-diabetes, also called "impaired glucose tolerance", is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to give a diagnosis of diabetes, in either the fasting blood glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). About 70% of those with pre-diabetes should go on to develop diabetes, however the condition can be reversed in the majority of cases. As obesity grows to epidemic proportions and lifestyles become more sedentary pre-diabetes problem has taken on greater urgency.

In addition to the estimated 151m people globally who have diabetes today, the International Diabetes Federation estimates that there are a further 315 million people with pre-diabetes, equivalent to 8.3% of the adult population. By 2025, this figure is expected to rise to 472 million, 9% of the adult population. There are at least 2 million pre-diabetics in the UK today and at least 20 million in the US.

It has been proven that unlike type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes is a reversible condition in the majority of cases and it can be effectively reversed by changes in diet and lifestyle.

Around 70% of people with pre-diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. For most people, this progression could be halted if pre-diabetes is detected using a diagnostic test and reversed by improved diet and a more active lifestyle, which together work better than drug therapy for most people.

With type 2 diabetes now a top global health priority, detecting and treating pre-diabetes offers the potential to dramatically reduce the forecast burden of type 2 diabetes with minimal cost.

Significant public awareness campaigns are appearing, for example the current US government campaign "Small Steps, Big Rewards. Prevent type 2 diabetes", run by the National Diabetes Education Programme - this can be found at
http://www.ndep.nih.gov/campaigns/SmallSteps/SmallSteps_overview.htm

Screening & diagnosis

The morning fasting glucose test can effectively detect pre-diabetes in most cases. Like our type 2 diabetes product, SSt will provide a convenient and low cost home test for pre-diabetes, with all the features and benefits of our type 2 diabetes product.

Patient monitoring & support

SSt will provide a simple low cost solution for people managing pre-diabetes by diet and lifestyle or using drug therapy. A programme of periodic testing will monitor blood glucose levels and the test information will be returned to the patient with advice and support.