Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (764 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The time period before the development of symptomatic diabetes. For example, certain risk factors can be observed in subjects who subsequently develop insulin resistance as in type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus, TYPE 2).
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Prediabetic States; State, Prediabetic; States, Prediabetic; Prediabetes.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Diabetes Mellitus
- See also
- Hyperglycemia
Related concepts
- Insulin Resistance
- Diabetes Mellitus
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 11,412 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Prediabetic State” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 4,607 of them (40.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 4,607 records.
Reviews account for 1,280 records (11.2%) and meta-analyses for 303. Randomized controlled trials number 912 (8.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,876 |
| 2000-2009 | 782 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,147 |
| 2020 onward | 4,607 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 1,280 | 11.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 303 | 2.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 912 | 8.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Prediabetic State"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in metabolism and endocrine disease
Studies of diabetes, obesity and hormone disorders often follow blood tests such as glucose, HbA1c or hormone levels, which are stand-ins for outcomes that matter more, such as complications. Lifestyle and diet research is largely observational, and weight and diabetes trials can differ in how long people were followed. Nothing on this page is advice about medicines, insulin or diet; talk to a qualified clinician about your own situation. Check whether the outcome was a lab value or a clinical event, and the type and duration of the condition studied.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevention of type 2 diabetes through prediabetes remission without weight loss | 2025 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 29 | cc by PMID 41023486 · DOI · PMC12532634 |
| Neurotransmitter Alterations in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 7 | cc by PMID 40869170 · DOI · PMC12386727 |
| Long-term effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate quality on prediabetes remission: results from the PREVIEW randomised multinational diabetes prevention trial | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 6 | cc by PMID 41094026 · DOI · PMC12686045 |
Prevention of type 2 diabetes through prediabetes remission without weight loss [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Clinical practice guidelines recommend defined weight loss goals for the prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in those individuals with increased risk, such as prediabetes.
- Closing excerpt
- These data uncover essential pathways for prediabetes remission without weight loss and emphasize the need to include glycemic targets in current clinical practice guidelines to improve T2D prevention.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (185 words)
Clinical practice guidelines recommend defined weight loss goals for the prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in those individuals with increased risk, such as prediabetes. However, achieving prediabetes remission, that is, reaching normal glucose regulation according to American Diabetes Association criteria, is more efficient in preventing T2D than solely reaching weight loss goals. Here we present a post hoc analysis of the large, multicenter, randomized, controlled Prediabetes Lifestyle Intervention Study (PLIS), demonstrating that prediabetes remission is achievable without weight loss or even weight gain, and that it also protects against incident T2D. The underlying mechanisms include improved insulin sensitivity, β-cell function and increments in β-cell-GLP-1 sensitivity. Weight gain was similar in those achieving prediabetes remission (responders) compared with nonresponders; however, adipose tissue was differentially redistributed in responders and nonresponders when compared against each other-while nonresponders increased visceral adipose tissue mass, responders increased adipose tissue in subcutaneous depots. The findings were reproduced in the US Diabetes Prevention Program. These data uncover essential pathways for prediabetes remission without weight loss and emphasize the need to include glycemic targets in current clinical practice guidelines to improve T2D prevention.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41023486 · DOI · PMC12532634
Neurotransmitter Alterations in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are increasingly recognized as states of both metabolic and neurochemical dysregulation.
- Closing excerpt
- Understanding the neurobiological roots of early T2D could revolutionize risk assessment and open doors for new neuro-metabolic treatments.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (175 words)
Prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are increasingly recognized as states of both metabolic and neurochemical dysregulation. This narrative review synthesizes emerging evidence of alterations in key neurotransmitter systems-dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate-in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes. Beyond peripheral insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, disturbances in the central nervous system, especially related to neurotransmitter signaling, may play a role in disease onset and progression. Neuroimaging studies reveal early imbalances in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, while biochemical and histological findings demonstrate altered receptor expression in both the brain and pancreatic islets. These changes affect metabolic control and are implicated in mood, cognition, and feeding behavior. We investigate the mechanistic links between neurotransmitter dysfunction and glucose metabolism, including the roles of brain insulin resistance, inflammation, mitochondrial stress, and gut-brain axis signaling. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies that target neurochemical pathways and highlight the need for longitudinal, sex-aware, and multi-omics studies to refine early interventions. Understanding the neurobiological roots of early T2D could revolutionize risk assessment and open doors for new neuro-metabolic treatments.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40869170 · DOI · PMC12386727
Long-term effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate quality on prediabetes remission: results from the PREVIEW randomised multinational diabetes prevention trial [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Aims/hypothesisRecent studies advocate prediabetes remission as a goal in diabetes prevention, but the optimal dietary composition for prediabetes remission over the long term is unknown.
- Closing excerpt
- gov NCT01777893.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (404 words)
Aims/hypothesisRecent studies advocate prediabetes remission as a goal in diabetes prevention, but the optimal dietary composition for prediabetes remission over the long term is unknown. We aimed to examine the long-term effects on prediabetes remission of a prudent diet with moderate protein and a moderate glycaemic index (GI) (akin to general dietary guidelines) vs a high-protein, low-GI diet.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of PREVIEW, which is a 3 year, multicentre, parallel, randomised trial. Adults with overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 and 2 or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively) and prediabetes (fasting glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/l and/or 2 h glucose 7.8-11.0 mmol/l determined using an OGTT) were recruited. Eligible participants underwent an 8-week rapid weight loss programme comprising a low-energy diet, followed by a 3 year weight maintenance phase comprising lifestyle intervention. At baseline, participants were randomly assigned to a high-protein (25% of energy from protein), low-GI (GI56). The primary outcome of the current analysis was the number of participants who achieved prediabetes remission (i.e. a return to normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance) at 1 year or 3 years. Secondary outcomes were changes in body weight and composition over 3 years (continuous variables) and maintenance of a ≥8% weight loss target (binary variable). Modified intention-to-treat analyses were performed on all participants who received the dietary intervention (n=1856). Risk ratios and 95% CI for prediabetes remission and maintaining the weight loss target in each diet group were estimated using multilevel modified Poisson regression adjusted for age and sex. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the dietary effects on changes in body weight and composition.ResultsThe moderate-protein, moderate-GI group (n=923) had a higher rate of remission than the high-protein, low-GI group (n=933) at both 1 year (rate of remission 26.3% vs 20.7%; RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.04, 1.53; p=0.025) and 3 years (20.6% vs 15.5%; RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.06, 1.50; p=0.015). However, body weight and composition changes were similar for participants on the moderate-protein, moderate-GI vs high-protein, low-GI diet at 1 year (54.0% vs 57.3% of participants met the weight loss maintenance target [≥8% of initial body weight]; p=0.215) and 3 years (31.4% vs 30.4%, respectively; p=0.793). The differences in remission rates of the two dietary patterns were independent of body weight and composition changes.Conclusions/interpretationFollowing rapid weight loss, a prudent diet with moderate protein and moderate GI was more effective for long-term prediabetes remission than a high-protein, low-GI diet, irrespective of weight change.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01777893.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41094026 · DOI · PMC12686045
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Metabolomics in Prediabetes and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Association between prediabetes and risk of cardiovascular disease and all cause mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Association between prediabetes and risk of all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease: updated meta-analysis [6]
- Research article A global view of the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes [7]
- Research article Global Prevalence of Prediabetes [8]
- Research article Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement [9]
References
- Sandforth A, Arreola EV, Hanson RL, Wewer Albrechtsen NJ, Holst JJ, Ahrends R, et al.. Prevention of type 2 diabetes through prediabetes remission without weight loss. . 2025. PMID 41023486 · DOI · PMC12532634
- Ahrițculesei RV, Boldeanu L, Dijmărescu AL, Assani MZ, Boldeanu MV, Siloși I, et al.. Neurotransmitter Alterations in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review. . 2025. PMID 40869170 · DOI · PMC12386727
- Zhu R, Guo J, Huttunen-Lenz M, Silvestre M, Stratton G, Macdonald IA, et al.. Long-term effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate quality on prediabetes remission: results from the PREVIEW randomised multinational diabetes prevention trial. . 2026. PMID 41094026 · DOI · PMC12686045
- Guasch-Ferré M, Hruby A, Toledo E, Clish CB, Martínez-González MA, Salas-Salvadó J, et al.. Metabolomics in Prediabetes and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2016. PMID 27208380 · DOI · PMC4839172
- Huang Y, Cai X, Mai W, Li M, Hu Y. Association between prediabetes and risk of cardiovascular disease and all cause mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2016. PMID 27881363 · DOI · PMC5121106
- Cai X, Zhang Y, Li M, Wu JH, Mai L, Li J, et al.. Association between prediabetes and risk of all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease: updated meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020. PMID 32669282 · DOI · PMC7362233
- Stefan N, Cusi K. A global view of the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2022. PMID 35183303 · DOI
- Rooney MR, Fang M, Ogurtsova K, Ozkan B, Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Boyko EJ, et al.. Global Prevalence of Prediabetes. Diabetes Care. 2023. PMID 37196350 · DOI · PMC10442190
- US Preventive Services Task Force, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, Cabana M, Caughey AB, et al.. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021. PMID 34427594 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.