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Published on: June 25, 2019
[Basal insulin levels in a Zulia State population in Venezuela]
Virginia Fernández1, Emilio Clavell, José J Villasmil
1Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas Dr. Américo Negrette, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Apartado 23 Maracaibo, Venezuela. vfernandez@luz.edu.ve
Investigacion Clinica
|August 5, 2006
Summary
This study on basal insulin levels in Venezuela found that lean individuals without metabolic issues have the lowest insulin. Researchers propose new cutoff levels for basal insulin in adults over 20.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Population Studies
Background:
- Basal insulin levels are crucial indicators of metabolic health.
- Understanding regional variations in basal insulin is important for public health.
- Previous research has not established specific basal insulin cutoffs for the Venezuelan population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine basal insulin levels in a diverse population in Zulia state, Venezuela.
- To identify correlations between basal insulin levels, metabolic abnormalities, and anthropometric measurements.
- To propose age- and sex-specific cutoff values for basal insulin in this region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 1703 subjects (1175 women, 528 men) from five regions in Zulia state.
- Measurements included weight, height, waist/hip circumference, blood pressure, serum glucose, lipids, and fasting insulin.
- Subjects were categorized into groups with and without metabolic abnormalities based on ATP III criteria.
Main Results:
- Lean subjects (BMI <25 Kg/m2) without metabolic abnormalities exhibited significantly lower basal insulin levels (p < 0.0001).
- Lower basal insulin levels were observed in lean non-metabolically altered individuals compared to overweight individuals and those with metabolic abnormalities.
- A high percentage of mixed-race individuals were observed in both non-metabolic alteration and metabolic alteration groups.
Conclusions:
- Basal insulin levels vary significantly based on metabolic status and body mass index.
- The study suggests new proposed cutoff levels for basal insulin: 13 microU/mL for women and 11 microU/mL for men over 20 years old in Zulia state.
- These proposed cutoffs could aid in identifying individuals at risk for metabolic dysfunction in this specific Venezuelan population.
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