Insulin resistance in Nigerians with essential hypertension

Reports on the association between hypertension and insulin resistance have been inconsistent even though most studies show a definite association. It is also not certain if the association between insulin resistance and hypertension applies to all populations.

To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance in hypertensive Nigerians and to examine the association of insulin resistance with hypertension and some anthropometric indices.

Thirty five adults with essential hypertension and thirty five normotensives were studied. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to determine insulin resistance (IR).

The hypertensive subjects had significantly higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR compared with normotensives (p = 0.02 and 0.04) respectively. There were significant correlations between HOMA-IR, BMI, waist and hip circumference in subjects with hypertension. At multiple linear regression, hypertension and body mass index were found to be the only significant predictors of insulin resistance.

The hypertensives we studied had a higher occurrence of insulin resistance compared to the normotensives. This makes it necessary for persons with hypertensive to have regular screening for diabetes and other categories of glucose intolerance as the increased insulin increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.