Comparison of adiposity indices and their association with insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in primary prevention for diabetes in Mexican population

Introduction

Impaired adiposity function, Insulin resistance (IR), and β-cell dysfunction predispose to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Some indices, such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Dysfunctional Adiposity Index (DAI), and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), have been developed as surrogates of dysfunctional adiposity. However, the association of these indices with IR and β-cell dysfunction in primary prevention for T2D has not been fully studied.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that included 401 asymptomatic subjects with at least two risk factors for T2D that underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. A HOMA-IR ≥2.5 and a Disposition Index ≤1.24 were used to define IR and β-cell dysfunction, respectively.

Results

Mean age of the subjects was 50.4 ± 9.6 years, 71.6% were women, had a mean BMI of 30.3 ± 6.4 kg/m² 27.6% and 11.6% had newly diagnosed T2D. After multiple regression analysis the VAI, DAI, and AIP were associated with IR (1.218 [1.103–1.345], 1.355 [1.150–1.597], and 2.533 [1.733–3.703], respectively), and β-cell dysfunction (1.119 [1.029–1.217], 1.193 [1.034–1.376], and 1.960 [1.357–2.830], respectively). Likewise, the AIP was the only index associated for newly T2D diagnosis (1.974 [1.224–3.184]).

Conclusions

The VAI, DAI and AIP were independently associated with IR and β-cell dysfunction in patients at high risk for T2D.