The Ideal Insulin Resistance Index for Cardiovascular Risk Discrimination in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study was aimed at determining the correlation between insulin resistance indices and atherogenic index as well as determining the ability of the indices to discriminate between low and high cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes. The study involved 70 participants. Ethical approval was granted by the institution review board. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin and lipid profile were analysed for each participant. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), homeostatic mode assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), fasting glucose insulin ratio (FGIR), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), McAuley’s index and Raynaud’s index were calculated using the appropriate formulae. Pearson’s correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were done. The mean age of the participants was 53.34 ± 9.57 years. Males were 50%. The mean duration of type 2 diabetes in the participants was 6.29 ± 2.78 years. Each index had a strong and significant correlation with fasting plasma insulin (p < 0.001). Using AIP as a marker of cardiovascular risk, 14.3% had intermediate/high risk. Among the indices, only McAuley’s index showed a statistically significant negative correlation with AIP (r =  − 0.453; p < 0.001). None of the indices could reliably discriminate between low and intermediate/high cardiovascular risk. Further studies are needed to identify an ideal insulin resistance index that can also predict cardiovascular risk.