P8.04 ARTERIAL FUNCTION AND INSULIN SENSITIVITY: THEIR INTERPLAY IN EUGLYCAEMIC, NEVER-TREATED HYPERTENSIVES

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance is a feature of essential hypertension. The interrelationships of indices of insulin resistance and arterial function in euglycaemic, never-treated hypertensives has not been addressed. To this end, we investigated the correlations of two insulin resistance indices (HOMA: homeostasis model assessment index; QUICKI: quantitative insulin sensitivity check index) and two arterial function indices (cfPWV: carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; AIx: augmentation index) in a cohort of non-diabetic, never-treated hypertensives. Methods: 998 patients with a new diagnosis of essential hypertension for which they had never received treatment were enrolled in the study (mean age 53 years, 600 men). HOMA and QUICKI were calculated from fasting glucose and insulin values. cfPWV and AIx were measured using validated devices. Results: In univariable analysis, only cfPWV correlated with insulin resistance indices (r=0.245, P<0.01 for HOMA; r=-0.245, P<0.01 for QUICKI). No statistically significant correlation was observed for AIx (r= 0.015, P=NS for HOMA; r=-0.015, P=NS for QUICKI). QUICKI is directly proportional to 1/logHOMA, thus explaining its negative correlation with cfPWV. Conclusion: Aortic stiffness, as estimated by cfPWV correlates with insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic, newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertensives. A choice of an antihypertensive drug which improves arterial elasticity and insulin sensitivity could be of benefit in this setting.