Abstract
BackgroundThe relationship between body composition parameters such as thigh and calf circumference and insulin resistance or atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and thigh and calf circumference in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsA total of 4,427 subjects with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. Insulin sensitivity was assessed according the rate constant for plasma glucose disappearance (Kitt) determined via the short insulin tolerance test. Biochemical and anthropometric profiles were measured according to a standardized protocol. Visceral fat thickness and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) were measured by ultrasonography.ResultsInsulin sensitivity index (Kitt) was significantly correlated with weight adjusted thigh and calf circumference. Thigh circumference was inversely associated with IMT in men and women and calf circumference was negatively correlated with IMT in women. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that thigh circumference was independently correlated with insulin sensitivity index (Kitt) and IMT. Furthermore, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, thigh circumference was an independent determinant factor for carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionsThigh and calf circumference were correlated with insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis, and thigh circumference was independently associated with insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Highlights
Insulin resistance is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia and is related to the development of type 2 diabetes [1]
Thigh and calf circumference were adjusted for body weight and height, and since thigh and calf circumference showed a stronger association with body weight than body height, they were adjusted by body weight (Additional file 1: Figure S1, S2)
Thigh circumference was inversely associated with intima media thickness (IMT) in men and women, and calf circumference was negatively correlated with IMT in women (Table 2)
Summary
Insulin resistance is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia and is related to the development of type 2 diabetes [1]. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between carotid IMT and abdominal obesity [20,21,22], but there are few studies of the relationship between body composition parameters such as thigh and calf circumference and carotid atherosclerosis [23,24]. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between insulin resistance, IMT, and thigh and calf circumference in patients with type 2 diabetes. The relationship between body composition parameters such as thigh and calf circumference and insulin resistance or atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and thigh and calf circumference in patients with type 2 diabetes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
