Hyperinsulinemia in non-obese, non-diabetic subjects with isolated systolic hypertension

To investigate the inter-relationship of hyperinsulinemia and isolated systolic hypertension, 15 patients with isolated systolic hypertension (Group I) were compared to those having systolic and diastolic hypertension (Group II), and 14 age- and sex-matched controls (Group III). Significantly high triglycerides and total cholesterol were observed in Groups I and II (p < 0.001) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Group II (p < 0.001), when compared to controls. Significantly high number of patients had impaired glucose tolerance (80%; p = 0.0002 and 60%; p = 0.05) on oral glucose tolerance test in Groups I and II, respectively. Higher blood glucose values were observed in Group I as compared to Group III, at 0, 30, 60 (p < 0.05) and 120 minutes (p < 0.001). Subjects in all the three groups showed fasting normo-insulinemia. At 60 minutes during oral glucose tolerance test, higher insulin levels were seen in Groups I and II as compared to controls (p = NS). Peak insulin levels and area under curve for insulin were higher in Groups I and II as compared to controls (p = NS). The observations of the present study indicate that, similar to systolic and diastolic hypertension, several features of insulin resistance syndrome such as hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance accompany isolated systolic hypertension.