Sex-specific clinical and inflammatory predictors of insulin resistance in individuals living with obesity: a retrospective analysis of 1,457 adults.

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key metabolic abnormality associated with obesity and can precede type 2 diabetes. Although HOMA-IR is commonly used, simpler clinical markers are needed to identify IR, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of anthropometric, biochemical, and hematological inflammation markers for insulin resistance in people living with obesity.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,457 adults, categorized into five groups based on BMI, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c levels: healthy controls, people living with obesity without insulin resistance, people living with obesity with insulin resistance, people living with obesity with prediabetes, and people living with obesity with diabetes.

To eliminate the confounding effect of BMI, subgroup analyses were performed based on obesity class (stage 1: BMI 30-35, stage 2: 35-40, stage 3: ≥40).

Results: BMI, waist circumference/height ratio (WC/Ht), and fasting glucose levels were significantly higher in the people living with obesity with insulin resistance group compared to the non-IR group (p < 0.001). In women, additional markers-including waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, TG/HDL ratio, ALT, CRP, WBC, systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR)-showed significant predictive value for IR. In men, no significant differences were observed in these inflammatory or lipid-related markers across obesity subgroups.

Conclusion: BMI, WC/Ht ratio, and glucose levels are useful predictors of insulin resistance in both sexes. In women living with obesity, specific biochemical and inflammatory markers such as TG/HDL, and WBC enhance predictive accuracy.