[Correlation between the various measurements of obesity and the degree of resistance to insulin].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the correlation between certain obesity measurements and insulin resistance (measured by HOMA).


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Urban health centre with elderly population.


METHODS
A random sample of 70 people was chosen from among an adult population with risk factors for DM2 or already diagnosed.


METHODS
Parameters of obesity were collected (weight, BMI, body perimeters, waist/hip index, and cutaneous folds), as were clinical parameters (blood pressure and cardiovascular risk), and analyses (glycaemia and insulinaemia--both basal and after 2 hours of oral overload of glucose--, HOMA, lipid profile, and microalbuminuria study). Resistance to insulin (IR) was defined as a HOMA > or =3.8.


RESULTS
Individuals with IR had significantly higher values of weight (85.5 vs 75.5 kg), BMI (35.1 vs 29.4 kg/m2), waist perimeter (108 vs 100.3 cm) than those without IR. In neither group were any significant differences as to the waist/hip index found. The BMI and/or waist perimeter values that were more likely to suffer IR were established. In men, the values were waist >107 cm (sensitivity, 43%; specificity, 62%) and BMI>29 (sensitivity, 57%; specificity, 50%). In women, they were a waist >102 cm (sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 89%) and BMI>34 (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 89%).


CONCLUSIONS
In clinical practice the BMI and the diameter of the waist are very good predictors of IR, whilst the waist/hip index and cutaneous folds do not provide any information of value.
Centro de Salud Raval Sud, Barcelona, Spain. nuriamb@scmfic.org
N
N
Molist-Brunet
J
J
Jimeno-Mollet
J
J
Franch-Nadal
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors