Quantification of Pancreatic Fat as a Predictor of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes

Motivation: Pancreatic fat accumulation is critical in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet accurate in vivo measurement remains challenging. Goal(s): To quantify pancreatic fat using the IDEALIQ method and assess its predictive value for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and T2DM. Approach: We employed IDEALIQ to non-invasively measure pancreatic fat volume fraction (PFVF) in T2DM, IGT, and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) groups, correlating the results with clinical metrics. Results: PFVF was significantly higher in the T2DM group. Logistic regression confirmed PFVF as a strong independent predictor of IGT and T2DM, with an AUC of 0.871, sensitivity of 92.7%, and specificity of 71.7%. Impact: This study presents a non-invasive method to quantify pancreatic fat, enhancing early detection and risk prediction for impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, and offering new insights into pancreatic fat's role in insulin resistance and diabetes progression.