A Profile of Patients Suspected of Having Insulin Resistance

The insulin resistance syndrome has been defined as a cluster of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidaemia and impaired fasting glucose in individuals with raised fasting plasma insulin levels. The development of insulin resistance may be genetic, or due to modifiable environmental factors such as weight increase and/or lack of physical activity.The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationships between insulin resistance, glucose impairment, obesity and lifestyle factors in a small community in rural Australia. This study highlighted that 89% of the 53 participants, who were referred by their general practioners for testing for insulin resistance, were overweight or obese. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were raised in 25% of participants, with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) levels lower than the suggested guidelines of the National Heart Foundation. Impaired fasting glucose was found in 20% of participants, with 49% of participants having a family history of diabetes. Insulin resistance was demonstrated in 59% of participants with a homeostasis assessment model (HOMA index) of ' 2.2 and 7% of participants were borderline insulin resistant.