Relation of adipose tissue insulin resistance to prediabetes

The degree of adipose tissue insulin resistance increases in obesity, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, but whether it associates with prediabetes is unclear. This is a cross-sectional study of 426 participants. The degree of adipose tissue insulin resistance was assessed using the index of adipose tissue insulin resistance (Adipo-IRI), calculated as the product of fasting insulin and free fatty acids. The association of adipose tissue insulin resistance and prediabetes was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Area under curves (AUCs) of receiver operating characteristic cure analyses were calculated to assess their diagnostic value in distinguishing prediabetes of the following: insulin resistance in the adipose tissue and peripheral tissue, general and abdominal obesity, and elevated triglycerides. The median age of the participants was 59 years with males accounting for 47.7%. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, Adipo-IRI was associated with prediabetes and its phenotypes in both genders. The diagnostic value of adipose tissue insulin resistance (AUC, male: 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65–0.77) and female: 0.74 (95% CI, 0.68–0.95)) for prediabetes were superior or similar to peripheral tissue insulin resistance, body mass index, waist circumference and triglycerides. Adipose tissue insulin resistance is associated with prediabetes and should be considered for use in population studies.