Serum Uric Acid concentration is associated with insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion in adults at risk for Type 2 Diabetes

AimsInsulin resistance (IR) predisposes to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although previous studies have associated serum uric acid concentration with IR in T2DM, its association with impaired insulin secretion and beta-cell dysfunction in subjects at risk for developing T2DM remains uncertain. Thus, we aimed to analyze the association of serum uric acid concentration with IR using surrogate insulin resistance/secretion and beta-cell function indices in subjects at risk for developing T2DM.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that included 354 subjects who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test who had at least two risk factors for T2DM without any chronic disease.ResultsParticipants were 51 ± 8 years old, 72.2% were women, had a mean body mass index of 29.9 ± 6.5 kg/m² and mean serum uric acid concentration of 5.7 ± 1.3 mg/dL. HOMA-IR, first-phase insulin secretion (S1Ph_OGTT), second-phase insulin secretion (S2Ph_OGTT), Matsuda and disposition indices were significantly correlated with serum uric acid concentrations (r = 0.239, r = 0.225, r = 0.201, r = ?0.287, r = ?0.208; respectively). After multiple linear regression analysis, serum uric acid concentration was independently associated with HOMA-IR (β = 0.283), HOMA-B (β = 0.185), S1Ph_OGTT (β = 0.203), S2Ph_OGTT (β = 0.186), and Matsuda Index (β = ?0.322). A serum uric acid concentration of 5.5 mg/dL had the best sensitivity/sensibility to identify subjects with IR (HOMA-IR ≥2.5).ConclusionsSerum uric acid concentration is significantly associated with IR and impaired insulin secretion, but not with beta-cell dysfunction, in subjects at risk for developing T2DM.