Handedness, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic B-cell function in Type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Laterality is associated with various health conditions. No study has addressed the influence of handedness on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) phenotype, including glucose homeostasis, glucose-lowering therapies and metabolic control.


METHODS
Five hundred and seventy-six consecutive adult T2DM outpatients underwent homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of pancreatic B-cell function (B), insulin sensitivity (S), hyperbolic product (B x S) and age-standardized B x S deficit. Right-handed patients (87.5%; RH; n = 504) had similar age, gender, diabetes duration and education than non-right-handed patients (12.5%; non-RH; n = 72).


RESULTS
Non-RH were more insulin-sensitive: 66% (39%) vs. 52% (36%) [mean (1 sd); P = 0.0024] and had significantly higher B x S and lower age-adjusted B x S deficit: 35% (20%) vs. 26% (17%) and 1.08% (0.40%) vs. 1.32% (0.55%)/year (non-RH; P = 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Non-right-handed T2DM patients are more insulin-sensitive, have higher hyperbolic product and less age-standardized B x S deficit. These may modulate glucose-lowering therapy requirements and glycaemic control.
Hermans
M P
MP
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Ahn
S A
SA
Selvais
P L
PL
Rousseau
M F
MF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin