The undervalued league of insulin resistance testing: uncovering their importance

Komal Rani; Parag Patil; Prahalad Bharti; Saroj Kumar; Shailaja Prabhala

doi:10.1515/hmbci-2023-0061

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The undervalued league of insulin resistance testing: uncovering their importance

Komal Rani , Parag Patil , Prahalad Bharti , Saroj Kumar and Shailaja Prabhala

Published/Copyright: August 8, 2024

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From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 45 Issue 3

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and several other metabolic diseases are all largely attributed to the problem known as insulin resistance. Diagnosing insulin resistance promptly and accurately is essential for adequately managing and intervening in metabolic disorders. Several diagnostic methods have been developed to assess insulin resistance. However, each method has advantages and disadvantages. The most precise test is the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, which examines the direct impact of insulin on glucose uptake by tissues. However, it is primarily utilized in research due to its complexity and intrusiveness. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) are the second most used Insulin resistance tests in the clinical setup. These tests are based on measuring the fasting glucose and insulin levels. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), Insulin tolerance test, and the Matsuda Index are further diagnostic procedures that shed light on insulin sensitivity. The improved techniques, such as the insulin suppression test and the minimal model analysis, provide substitutes for unique clinical circumstances. Additionally, including extra measurements with these tests, like waist circumference, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers, can improve the evaluation of insulin resistance. In summary, identifying insulin resistance is essential for the early detection and treatment of various metabolic illnesses. To make educated judgments and improve patient care, healthcare workers should be aware of the different available diagnostic tests and how they are used in each situation. Insulin resistance detection and monitoring will require further study to improve current diagnostic approaches and create novel, less invasive techniques.

Keywords: insulin resistance; HOMA; QUICK; type -2 diabetes mellitus

Corresponding author: Dr. Shailaja Prabhala, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, Hyderabad, India, E-mail: shailajaprabhala@yahoo.co.in

Acknowledgments

We thank DHR for providing a Young Scientist Fellowship to Dr. Komal Rani.

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: KR has written the manuscript, and SP, SK, PP, and PB have read it and provided their insightful suggestions.
Competing interests: The authors have no conflict of interest.
Research funding: None declared.
Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2023-09-01

Accepted: 2024-07-16

Published Online: 2024-08-08

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2023-0061

Keywords for this article

insulin resistance; HOMA; QUICK; type -2 diabetes mellitus