Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) levels in a general adult population: Curves percentile by gender and age. The EPIRCE study

Aims: To describe the distribution of HOMA-IR levels in a general nondiabetic population and its relationships with metabolic and lifestyles characteristics. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Data from 2246 nondiabetic adults in a random Spanish population sample, stratified by age and gender, were analyzed. Assessments included a structured interview, physical examination, and blood sampling. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to assess the effect of lifestyle habits and clinical and demographic measurements on HOMA-IR. Multivariate GAMs and quantile regression analyses of HOMA-IR were carried out separately in men and women. Results: This study shows refined estimations of HOMA-IR levels by age, body mass index, and waist circumference in men and women. HOMA-IR levels were higher in men (2.06) than women (1.95) (P = 0.047). In women, but not men, HOMA-IR and age showed a significant nonlinear association (P = 0.006), with increased levels above fifty years of age. We estimated HOMA-IR curves percentile in men and women. Conclusions: Age-and gender-adjusted HOMA-IR levels are reported in a representative Spanish adult non-diabetic population. There are gender-specific differences, with increased levels in women over fifty years of age that may be related with changes in body fat distribution after menopause. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.