Prevalence of insulin resistance and its association with metabolic syndrome components in adolescents: population study results

Aim. To study the blood levels of insulin and glucose, to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR), and to investigate the association between IR and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a population sample of adolescents aged 14-17 years. Material and methods. A representative sample of Novosibirsk City adolescents, aged 14-17 years, was examined (n=667). The examination included the standard questionnaire survey, blood pressure (BP) measurement, anthropometry, and the assessment of serum levels of lipids, insulin, and glucose. Hyperinsulinemia (HI) was diagnosed if basal insulin levels were >= 15 mu IU/ml, while fasting hyperglycaemia (FHG) was registered if fasting glucose levels were >= 5,6 mmol/l. IR was diagnosed if HOMA index was >3,7. Results. In Novosibirsk adolescents, the prevalence of IR reached 11,8% (13,4% in boys and 10,5% in girls). FHG was registered in 2% of boys and 0,8% of girls; the prevalence of HI was 22,5% and 21%, respectively. The presence of IR was associated with higher values of waist circumference, BP, blood triglycerides, body mass index, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The 90% percentile of HOMA distribution in this adolescent population sample was 4,1 (4,7 in boys and 3,7 in girls). Conclusion. The study results justify the need for a regular monitoring of carbohydrate metabolism markers in adolescents. Russ J Cardiol 2012, 4 (96): 37-42