ABSTRACT
To assess prevalence of insulin resistance in non-diabetic hypertensive patients in eastern part of India, a case-control study was undertaken among 112 patients of hypertension without diabetes mellitus or ischaemic heart disease and 76 age and sex matched controls. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference) were done and fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels were estimated. Among 112 patients, 50.9% (n = 57) have fasting hyperinsulinaemia, whereas in control population 12% had hyperinsulinemia (p < 0.001). Mean waist circumference was higher in hypertensive patients compared to control. No statistical difference of body mass index between cases and control found. In this study prevalence of fasting hyperinsulinaemia, considered as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance, was 50% in hypertensives. Body mass index was not associated with insulin resistance or hypertension.
