Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator in Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Dieter Furthner1,2, Christian-Heinz Anderwald2,3,4, Peter Bergsten5

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Salzkammergutklinikum Voecklabruck, Voecklabruck, Austria.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|February 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The single point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) effectively identifies hepatic insulin resistance in pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This novel index demonstrates superior performance compared to existing methods in children with obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Hepatology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Attenuated insulin sensitivity (IS) is a key characteristic of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  • The single point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) was developed using triglycerides, high-density-lipoprotein, and body-mass-index (BMI).
  • SPISE has been validated against the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp-test (EHCT) in adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of SPISE in estimating hepatic insulin sensitivity.
  • To compare SPISE with established indices for diagnosing hepatic insulin resistance in children and adolescents.
  • To introduce SPISE as a novel, inexpensive index for hepatic insulin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Ninety-nine pubertal subjects with obesity were stratified into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups using MRI.
  • Insulin sensitivity (IS) was determined using EHCT in a subgroup of 17 participants.
  • Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic ability of SPISE, HOMA-IR, and HIRI.

Main Results:

  • SPISE was significantly lower in the NAFLD group compared to the non-NAFLD group in both males and females (P<0.05).
  • In males, ROC-AUC for SPISE was 0.71 (P=0.006), outperforming HIRI (0.50) and comparable to HOMA-IR (0.68).
  • In females, ROC-AUC for SPISE was 0.74 (P=0.006), outperforming HOMA-IR (0.59) and HIRI (0.68).

Conclusions:

  • SPISE is significantly lower in juvenile patients with obesity-associated NAFLD.
  • SPISE demonstrates superior sensitivity and specificity in indicating hepatic insulin resistance in pediatric NAFLD patients compared to established indices.
  • SPISE represents a valuable, cost-effective tool for assessing hepatic insulin resistance in pediatric populations.
Abstract