Insulin Resistance Index and Metabolic Syndrome in a Population of Southern Argentina

pp 671-681

Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevailing insulin resistance index(IR)values, predictors and frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS)in a group of the local population in our region.

Methods

The study was performed on 135 civil servants and retired individuals, 68 males and 67 females of 51± 7 and 53 ± 7 years old respectively. Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-c, triglycerides (TG), a polipoprotein B, uric acid, glucose, and fibrinogen were determined in all of them. Insulin and IR were obtained in 113 individuals.

Results

Average IR values were 2.8 ± 1.6. Differences found between individuals with hypertension or using antihypertension drugs (AHT) and those with normal blood pressure were: mean age 57 ± 7 vs. 50 ± 7(p = 0.00001), TC >_ 240 mg/dl, 31.9% vs. 17.5% (p =0.05); HDL-c < 35 mg/dl in males or HDL-c < 45 in females, 16.7% and 4.8% (p = 0.028); TG > 200 mg/dl, 22.2% vs. 6.3% (p = 0.009); central obesity(CO), 48.6% vs. 25.0% (p = 0.005); insulin > 14 mlU/ml, 36.7% vs. 13.2% (p = 0.004) respectively. MS was defined by the requirement of AHT or treated plusIR> 3.1 and TG/C-HDL > 3.5 in males or > 2.4 in females. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the best MS predictors were CO, older age and sedentary life. The prevalence of MS in the whole population studied was 12.6%, and when the analysis was performed according to sex, it turned out to be 12.7% in males vs. 11.1% in females (ns); 23.3% with CO vs. 6.3% without it (p = 0.006). Prevalence of MS considering age resulted of 18.1% in patients older than 52 years old vs. 3.7% in younger ones (p = 0.014); 21.7% in sedentary subjects vs. 6.3% in active people (p = 0.0097).

Conclusions

IR "cut off" point was 3.1. The prevalence of MS in the population studied was 12.6% and was higher in people with CO (23.3%), individuals older than 52 years old (18.1%) and with sedentary life style (21.7%). The results suggest the importance of the detection of MS diagnosis to correct or modify the cardiovascular risk factors.