Insulin-Related Biomarkers to Predict the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background:The predictive ability of insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity, in combination with traditional cardiovascular risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS), has not yet been clearly evaluated in Japanese male subjects.Objectives:A one-year follow-up study was conducted to determine the ability of the insulin-related biomarkers to predict the risk of MetS development.Patients and Methods:A total of 2642 male workers of a Japanese company free from MetS at the baseline were monitored. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were selected as the insulin-related markers.Results:The incidence of metabolic syndrome after one year was 8.8%. A multiple logistic regression analysis identified regular physical activity, age (≥ 45 years old), serum uric acid (≥ 7 mg/dL), serum alanine aminotransferase (≥ 45 IU/L), serum C-reactive protein (≥ 0.1 mg/L) and HOMA-IR (≥ 2.5) as significant risk factors for the development of MetS, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.68 (0.50 – 0.92), 2.0 (1.5 – 2.6), 2.2 (1.6 – 3.0), 1.5 (1.02 – 2.2), 1.4 (1.01 – 2.0), and 2.3 (1.6 – 3.3), respectively. When QUICKI was used instead of HOMA-IR, age (≥ 45 years old), serum uric acid (≥ 7 mg/dL), serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (≥ 50 IU/L), and QUICKI (≤ 0.33) were identified as significant contributors to the risk of MetS, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.68 (0.51 – 0.93), 2.0 (1.5 – 2.6), 2.2 (1.6 – 3.0), 1.4 (1.01 – 2.0), and 2.5 (1.7 – 3.6), respectively.Conclusions:The mathematical meaning of the two insulin-related biomarkers examined was the same, and the odds ratios of the two biomarkers were almost the same after adjustments for other independent variables.