title: Is this patient insulin resistant? How much does it matter?
abstract: Alex was an obese 10-year-old girl with a family history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and perhaps polycystic ovarian syndrome. Her physical examination was significant for a central accumulation of body fat and acanthosis nigricans. Although the laboratory studies indicated that Alex was not diabetic and probably not glucose intolerant, she could be insulin resistant (IR). Should any further evaluation be done? If Alex is IR, what kind of treatment should be offered? The following discussion addresses these questions by reviewing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and consequences of isolated IR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Science Center, The Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado 80218, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheeder
authors.forename: Sharon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Travers
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stevens-Simon
mesh_terms: D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin