A NON-INVASIVE MARKER OF INSULIN RESISTANCE IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR) and hormone activity of visceral fat are the main pathogenetic mechanisms which link obesity and cardiovascular complications. Until recently, the association between epicardial adiposity and IR has been understudied. Aim. To investigate the association between the thickness of epicardial fat tissue (tEFT) and IR and to determine the predictive value and threshold levels of tEFT for the diagnostics of IR. Material and methods. The study included 186 men (mean age 54,4±9,1 years) with the mean body mass index of 34,23±3,97 kg/m². IR was assessed by the levels of insulin and HOMA-IR index. The echocardiography measurement of tEFT (mm behind the free right ventricular wall) was performed in a systole, in a parasternal position on the long and short left ventricular axis. Results. Mean tEFT levels in the IR-positive group were significantly higher (7,0 (7,0;9,0)) than in the IR-negative group (5 (4,0;6,0); p<0,001). In the logistic regression analyses, the proportion of accurate predictions was 91%, and the Somers’ D-value was 0,837. The optimal cut-off for tEFT, as a non-invasive IR marker, was

Keywords

• insulin resistance
• metabolic syndrome
• epicardial adiposity