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Specific associations of insulin resistance with impaired health-related quality of life in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

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Abstract

Insulin resistance is a metabolic abnormality that underlies Type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, but it may also be associated with more global health deficits. This study assessed associations of insulin resistance with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in different domains of physical and mental health in a large elderly population study. Cross-sectional data of 1212 participants from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study were analysed. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 health survey. Poor HRQoL was defined by a score lower than the sex-specific 10th percentile of each scale, and logistic regressions yielded odds ratios in relation to the HOMA-IR scores. Subsequent analyses adjusted for the influence of age, smoking, alcohol consumption, social class, BMI, coronary heart disease and depression. Results showed an increase in poor HRQoL with an increase in HOMA-IR scores for physical functioning (OR = 2.29; CI: 1.67–3.13), vitality (OR = 1.45; CI: 1.05–2.00), and general health (OR = 1.62; CI: 1.19–2.21). In men, but not in women, associations with physical functioning were independent of confounding variables. The results indicate that insulin resistance is associated with poor HRQoL in domains of physical health, but not in domains of mental health.

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Abbreviations

BP:

bodily pain

CHD:

coronary heart disease

GH:

general health

HADS:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

HOMA-IR:

homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance

HRQoL:

health-related quality of life

IQR:

inter quartile range

MH:

mental health

PF:

physical functioning

RE:

role emotional

RP:

role physical

SF:

social functioning

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Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all the men and women who took part in the study. The Hertfordshire Cohort Study team comprises research nurses and doctors, research assistants, data entry staff, computer programmers, medical statisticians, and clinical research scientists, who make the study possible. This study could not have been undertaken without the financial support of the Medical Research Council and the University of Southampton, UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

    Wolff Schlotz, Phil Ambery, Holly E. Syddall, Sarah R. Crozier, Avan Aihie Sayer, Cyrus Cooper & David I. W. Phillips

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  1. Wolff Schlotz
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the Hertfordshire Cohort Study Group

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Correspondence to Wolff Schlotz.

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Schlotz, W., Ambery, P., Syddall, H.E. et al. Specific associations of insulin resistance with impaired health-related quality of life in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. Qual Life Res 16, 429–436 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-9129-5

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