Analysis of Insulin Resistance in Various Components of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of health risks that increases chances of developing heart disease. The constellation of metabolic abnormalities includes glucose intolerance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These conditions can occur in an individual more often than might be expected by chance. The aim of this study was to analyze the insulin resistance measured as Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in different variables of metabolic syndrome. In univariate analyses, insulin resistance was related to hypertension, low HDL-cholesterol, increased triglyceride concentration and diabetes, however, no relation of insulin resistance with LDL or total cholesterol could be established. Insulin resistance was found to be significantly higher in subjects with increase in number of risk factors of metabolic syndrome. According to HOMA-IR index all the diabetic subjects were insulin resistant. Even hypertensive, obese and first degree relative of diabetics was insulin resistant without having diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Maximum insulin resistance was observed in patients of T2DM with obesity, hypertension and microalbuminuria i.e. patients with multiple metabolic abnormalities. These results support the existence of metabolic syndrome and the relationship of that syndrome to multiple metabolic disorders by showing a strong association between insulin resistance and Syndrome X and suggest that hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistant may be the unifying pathophysiology underlying the syndrome.