TG/HDL-C Ratio: A Surrogate Marker of Insulin Resistance in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

ABSTRACT

Insulin resistance (IR) is hallmark of metabolic syndrome. It is important to identify IR as it is the early stage before development of diabetes mellitus. The standard method to measure insulin resistance is the euglycemic clamp technique, which is laborious. Hence, a number of surrogate measures like homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have been developed. Both of the former involve calculations, while TG/HDL ratio may be readily available for clinicians. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess whether TG/HDL-C ratio serves as a better predictive marker of IR. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio as a surrogate marker of IR in metabolic syndrome patients. Materials and methods: Total 110 patients were recruited in the study after obtaining informed written consent. They were divided into two groups. Group I included healthy controls (n = 50) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) (n = 60) as per NCEP ATP III criteria were included in group II. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis was performed in all subjects. Results: There was statistically significant difference in anthropometric, glycemic and lipid parameters in control and study group (p < 0.0001). The regression model between HOMA-IR and TG/HDL-C ratio showed was positive correlation (r = 0.29, p = 0.01) while between QUICKI and TG/HDL-C ratio showed negative correlation (r = –0.37, p = 0.002). Conclusion: We report in our study that TG/HDL-C can be adopted in routine laboratory practice as a surrogate marker for prediction of insulin resistance. So that patients with metabolic syndrome may be beneficial at an early stage.