SUN-LB103 The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Insulin Sensitivity in Obesity

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe effects of alcohol intake on insulin sensitivity have produced conflicting results with both beneficial and adverse effects observed. This study aimed to compare the relationship between patterns of alcohol consumption and insulin sensitivity in obese Veterans. METHODSWe performed a cross-sectional study of obese (BMI 30.0-45.0 kg/m2), nondiabetic U.S. Military Veterans without active mental health diagnoses, including no report of dependent alcohol use within the last 12 months. Alcohol exposure over the previous 12 months (mos) was assessed using a study-developed questionnaire and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Fasting insulin, glucose, and a 75gm OGTT were completed to determine Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and prediabetes (preDM) score of 0, 1, or 2 based on fulfilling 0, 1, or at least 2 of the ADA criteria for preDM, respectively. Linear regression was used to assess for associations between measures of insulin resistance and alcohol consumption; unstandardized β and p-value are reported for variable of interest. RESULTS104 Veterans participated (66% males; 44±8years (range: 25-60); BMI 36±4kg/m2 (range: 29-45); 53% White, 46% African American, 2% Alaskan/Native American, 1% Other). 83 participants reported any alcohol intake in the previous 12 mos and neither preDM score (p=0.57) nor HOMA-IR (p=0.14) were predicted by this question. PreDM score groups were similar in gender, BMI, and weight, but age predicted both preDM score (r2=0.09, β=0.025, p=0.006) and HOMA-IR (r2=0.05, β=-0.09, p=0.034); therefore, all regressions were adjusted for age. There was a negative association between the number of days of alcohol intake with HOMA-IR (β=-0.271, p=0.037) but no association occurred with preDM score (p=0.15). Fewer days of binge drinking was associated with higher HOMA-IR (β= -0.342, p=0.058) and preDM score (β=-0.075, p=0.05). There was no significant association between total quantity of alcohol intake and HOMA-IR (p=0.13) nor preDM score (p=0.15). There was no association between MAST score and HOMA-IR (p=0.7) or preDM score (p=0.3). CONCLUSIONIn our cohort of obese, non-alcohol dependent Veterans, the reported number of days of alcohol intake and days of binge drinking in the previous 12 mos were lower in those with markers of insulin resistance. These results suggest that drinking patterns among obese patients may have unique effects on insulin sensitivity that warrant further investigation.