Background Obesity and arterial hypertension are important public health problems. Their prevalence has been steadily increasing during recent years, especially in industrialised societies. In a view of experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies the existence of direct relationship between obesity and hypertension has been demonstrated. Insulin resistance plays a fundamental role in complex pathogenesis of obesity related hypertension. The aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations of insulin and value of insulin sensitivity in patients with obesity and hypertension. The relationship between fasting insulin/glucose (IRI/G) ratio and insulin sensitivity ratio M were also studied.
Material and methods 55 qualified patients. 45 patients with hypertension and obesity. As a control group 10 healthy lean volunteers were used. Patients with secondary hypertension or obesity, diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, renal failure were excluded from the study. Each subject underwent physical examination. Routine laboratory tests were performed. Insulin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Insulin sensitivity value (M) was calculated after euglicemic clamp and as a IRI/G ratio. All calculations and statistics were performed with Statistica 5.1 for Windows.
Results Serum levels of insulin and IRI/G ratio in studied group of patients was significantly higher and insulin sensitivity M ratio significantly lower, compared with the control group. In studied group negative correlation between insulin sensitivity M ratio and IRI/G ratio was found.
Conclusions
1. Hypertension and obesity are associated with increased plasma insulin and insulin resistance.
2. Values IRI/G and M values in all studied groups of patients significantly differed from those observed in the control group.
3. Negative correlation between M ratio and IRI/G ratio was found and it indicates that we can use both methods in obese patients with hypertension.
Arterial Hypertension 2010, vol. 14, no 2, pages 142-150.