Prevalence of insulin resistance and its relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors among Thai adults over 35 years old

Abstract 

Aims

To estimate the prevalence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and to study its relationship with selected cardiovascular disease risk factors among Thai adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was comprised of 227 men and 990 women undergoing routine health check-up. The prevalence of insulin resistance was estimated using diagnostic criteria previously employed in Asian and other populations. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to evaluate associations of HOMA-IR with selected cardiovascular disease risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression procedures were used to evaluate associations of hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-Cholesterolemia, and hypertension with varying HOMA-IR values.

Results

Approximately 25.1% of men (HOMA-IR≥1.56) and 21.5% of women (HOMA-IR≥1.64) were classified as having insulin resistance. HOMA-IR values were statistically significantly and positively associated with body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and serum triglycerides. The values were inversely correlated with HDL-Cholesterol. When compared with those whose HOMA-IR values were within the lowest quartile (<0.45), men with HOMA-IR values in the highest quartile (≥1.58) had higher risks of hypertriglyceridemia (adjusted OR=2.83), low HDL-Cholesterolemia (adjusted OR=2.79), and hypertension (adjusted OR=2.76). Similar associations were observed among women.

Conclusion

Insulin resistance, as determined using HOMA-IR, was positively associated with selected cardiovascular disease risk factors among Thai adults.

Keywords: Insulin resistance, HOMA-IR, Risk factors, Epidemiology, Thailand