[Diagnostic performance of the FINDRISC questionnaire to identify insulin resistance in adults]

Insulin resistance (IR) is a state prior to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and it is reversible with lifestyle modification. However, it is underdiagnosed due to the difficulty in its measurement.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FINDRISC questionnaire to identify IR.

An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in adults aged 20 to 60 years without previous diagnosis of T2D. Those using steroids and pregnant women were excluded. IR was diagnosed through the Triglycerides/glucose index. A ROC curve was used to establish the cut-off point for the diagnosis of IR. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were calculated. Risk measurement for IR was performed with the FINDRISC instrument.

A total of 253 participants were included, with a prevalence of IR of 60.8%. The area under the curve of the FINDRISC instrument was 0.813 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.759-0.865), with a cut-off point of 8. Sensitivity was 94.8% and specificity was 48.5%, positive predictive value was 74% and negative 86%, with a positive likelihood ratio of 1.84 and a negative of 0.11.

The FINDRISC instrument is a useful screening tool to identify subjects with IR at the first level of care. A score ≥ 8 identifies subjects with IR.