Insulin resistance and related factors in obese individuals

Introduction: Obesity is a risk factor for the development of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer, and it is thought that obesity-related inflammation plays a role in the emergence of chronic diseases. Insulin resistance is a condition that results in an increase in insulin levels in the body due to resistance or insensitivity to insulin in tissue receptors. If this condition is not recognized, the process will inevitably progress to diabetes and obesity. In addition, obesity-induced inflammation plays an important role in the development of diabetes by causing changes in insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance, blood parameters and inflammatory load may differ according to the degree of obesity. In this study, the relationship between insulin resistance, blood parameters and inflammatory load in obese individuals was investigated. Materials and Methods: This study was planned as a retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 250 individuals (BMI≥30 kg/m2) who applied to the General Surgery Obesity Clinic of Harran University Medical Faculty Hospital and were diagnosed with obesity were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index, CRP, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), insulin, HbA1c values of the patients were recorded from the recorded archive data. In addition, routine hemogram and biochemistry blood parameter results were also recorded to examine the relationship between possible metabolic abnormalities that may occur in the presence of inflammation. The individuals included in the study were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI levels. The insulin resistance of the patients was calculated and recorded with the Glucose X insulin/405 (HOMA-IR) formula. The statistical package of the social sciences software (SPSS 20.0 for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA) was used in the statistical analysis of the data. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Statistically significant differences were found between obesity groups in terms of CRP (p<0.025), glucose (p<0.028), HbA1c (p<0.001), insulin (p<0.030), HOMA-IR (p<0.005) and ALT (p<0.006) values, and the values were found to be significantly higher in morbidly obese individuals (group 3) (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups according to insulin resistance, and glucose, insulin, HDL, creatinine and ALT values were significantly higher in the insulin resistant group. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed a positive and significant relationship between obesity classes and CRP. In this case, it can be said that as the level of obesity increases, the burden of inflammation also increases. A significant relationship was established between creatinine and ALT values, which are routinely monitored in primary care settings and are known to be associated with mortality and morbidity, and insulin resistance. Glucose, HbA1c, BUN, ALT, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR values, which have a positive and significant relationship with obesity levels, suggest that early diagnosis and individualized approaches, combined with lifestyle changes and psychological support to halt weight gain and achieve ideal levels, may have positive effects on morbidity and mortality.