OGTT is recommended for glucose homeostasis assessments in Friedreich ataxia

Azzi, A. , Cosentino, C. , Kibanda, J. , Féry, F. and Cnop, M. (2018). Ann Clin Transl Neurol. doi:10.1002/acn3.686

Diabetes is a common complication of Friedreich ataxia, requiring sensitive diagnostic methods. Here, we compared the performance of different tests that assess glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and β‐cell function in Friedreich ataxia patients, heterozygous FXN mutation carriers and controls. We find that diabetes is underdiagnosed with fasting glucose alone. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) provides 1.2‐ to 3.5‐fold more diagnoses of impaired glucose homeostasis and diabetes, and adequately measures insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and β‐cell function. Clinicians in charge of Friedreich ataxia patients and researchers should incorporate the OGTT as an accurate diagnostic and research tool.