Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ethnocultural differences between Jewish and Arab communities in Northern Israel may contribute to disparities in type 2 diabetes prevalence. Widespread screening strategies, including hospital-based initiatives, are crucial for early detection of hyperglycemia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia and identify its associated factors in a diverse population of non-diabetic adults visiting the Galilee Medical Center, a tertiary care hospital in Northern Israel. Methods: Participants were recruited between November 2017 and July 2023 through a voluntary screening program for non-diabetic adult visitors to the hospital. Capillary blood glucose measurements were obtained 1-4 h after a meal using a standardized glucometer. Postprandial hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level ≥147 mg/dL, while postprandial normoglycemia was defined as ≤133 mg/dL. Individuals with glucose levels between 134-146 mg/dL were excluded from the analysis. Additional exclusion criteria included known diabetes, acute illness, corticosteroid use, and pregnancy. Demographic data, lifestyle factors, and health status were recorded. Propensity score matching was employed to ensure comparability between religious groups based on age, gender, and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of postprandial hyperglycemia. Results: 3457 adult visitors underwent postprandial glucose testing and met eligibility criteria. Following propensity score matching, 1845 participants (615 each from Druze, Jewish, and Muslim religious groups) were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia was 9.4% in Druze, 6.0% in Jews, and 8.0% in Muslims (p = 0.08). Age >50 years was significantly associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in all groups. Obesity was associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in Muslims, with a similar non-significant trend in the Jewish cohort. Self-reported poor health was also associated with postprandial hyperglycemia in Muslims. In the Druze cohort, a low daily intake of daily fresh vegetable consumption was significantly associated with postprandial hyperglycemia. Conclusions: This study highlights the feasibility of hospital-based screening for postprandial hyperglycemia among adult visitors and reveals ethnic variations in prevalence and associated risk factors.