Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the current prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), compare the risk factor profile between persons with and without AGT among 45-74 years-old Latvian men and women, and to validate the Finnish diabetes risk score (FINDRISC) questionnaire in detecting AGT in the middle-aged Latvian population. A cross-sectional survey among the 45-74-years old population randomly selected from the registers of general practitioners in Rīga, Latvia was carried out between April 2008 and March 2009. The survey consisted of a questionnaire, measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure as well as blood oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), cholesterol and its fractions. Prevalence of obesity, central obesity and physical inactivity were high in the Latvian population. Women with AGT had a worse risk factor profile for T2D and cardiovascular diseases compared to those with normal glucose tolerance. No differences were found in the risk factor profile between men with and without AGT. A high proportion of men and women with more than 11 FINDRISC points had undetected AGT. The FINDRISC questionnaire can be used in clinical practice to detect persons with AGT in the Latvian population.