In a community based study in Japan, researchers investigated if low serum amylase is linked with an increased risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (Met S).

In 2,425 asymptomatic subjects (aged 30 - 80) serum amylase, Metabolic Syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria), cardiac risk factors, and diabetes were examined. The subjects were studied over a period of 5 years and had the first medical checkups at the start and again between April 2009-March 2010. 

Findings- Dr. Kei Nakajima of Josai University, Japan and colleagues observed during the study that except for the age and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), clinical variables shifted favorably with inceasing serum amylase levels. Plasma glucose levels at one and two hours during oral glucose tolerance test increased significantly with decreasing serum amylase levels. Compared with highest quartile of serum amylase, multiple logistic analyses depicted that the lowest quartile was associated with greater risk for MetS and diabetes after adjustment for confounding factors. For subjects who underwent checkups 5 years previously  (n = 571), lower amylase levels at the were seen to be associated with greater number of metabolic abnormalities at the recent checkup. The variation over time in serum amylase levels in people with low serum amylase at the previous checkup was less and remained unaffected by kidney dysfunction.