In 1997, an International Expert Committee was convened to reexamine the classification and diagnostic criteria of diabetes, which were based on the 1979 publication of the National Diabetes Data Group (1) and subsequent WHO study group (2). As a result of its deliberations, the Committee recommended several changes to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes and for lesser degrees of impaired glucose regulation (IFG/IGT)(3). The following were the major changes or issues addressed.

1) The use of the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test for the diagnosis of diabetes was recommended, and the cut point separating diabetes from nondiabetes was lowered from FPG [greater than or equal to] 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l) to [greater than or equal to] 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l).(All glycemic values represent venous plasma). This change was based on data that showed an increase in prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy beginning at approximately a FPG of 126 mg/dl, as well as on the desire to reduce the discrepancy that existed in the number of cases detected by the FPG cut point of [greater than or equal to] 140 mg/dl and the 2-h value in the OGTT (2-h plasma glucose [2-h PG]) of [greater than or equal to] 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l).