Comparison of homeostasis model analysis with insulin tolerance test in the assessment of insulin resistance in healthy young people

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to compare homeostasis model analysis and insulin tolerance test in the assessment of insulin resistance in healthy young people. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 129 healthy non-obese young volunteers. Fasting glucose and serum insulin were measured, homeostasis model analysis calculated and an insulin tolerance test performed. The constant for the rate of serum glucose disappearance calculated with insulin tolerance test was of 4.7 � 0.9%/min and insulin resistance obtained with homeostasis model analysis was of 1.8 � 0.9. Results did not show significant correlation between homeostasis model analysis and insulin tolerance test in the estimation of insulin resistance. In conclusion, the assessment of insulin resistance with homeostasis model analysis was not comparable to that obtained with insulin tolerance test in healthy young people. However, we recommend the use of ITT as a method for estimating insulin resistance in healthy people based on the particular characteristics of this technique.