Multisystem Involvement in Prediabetes and Early Diabetes: Prevalence, Age Associations, and Need for Holistic Screening

Background: Prediabetes and early diabetes are often considered reversible or less harmful states, yet evidence suggests that multisystem involvement begins much earlier than overt diabetes.Understanding the prevalence and age-related trends of such complications is crucial for timely detection and the development of preventive strategies.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 231 adults attending a health checkup camp underwent comprehensive metabolic and organ screening, including glycemic, hepatic, renal, thyroid, neurological (biothesiometry and monofilament testing), bone mineral desnity, and lipid profile assessment.Multisystem involvement was analyzed in relation to glycemic category (normoglycemia, prediabetes, early diabetes) and age strata to identify early organ-specific trends.Results: Multisystem abnormalities were observed even at the prediabetes stage (n = 13), with hepatic steatosis [8 (61.5%)] and dyslipidemia [7 (53.8%)] being most common.Early diabetes (n = 17) showed further progression, particularly hepatic steatosis [12 (70.6%)] and thyroid dysfunction [4 (23.5%)].Age significantly influenced certain complications: neuropathy [70 (71.4%)] and bone mineral density (BMD) loss [40 (58.8%)] were most prevalent in the elderly (both p < 0.001), while dyslipidemia peaked in middle age [78 (51%)].Conclusion: Multisystem abnormalities emerge early in the dysglycemic continuum, with distinct age-related trends.Comprehensive, agestratified screening that extends beyond glucose levels is essential for early risk identification and preventive care.