Correlation between the glucose clamp technique and the homeostasis model assessment in hypertension

The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) has been extensively used as a reli able surrogate marker for measuring insulin resistance in patients with dia betes mellitus and in normal subjects. Comparative data in another insulin resistance state, hypertension, is lacking. The goal of the present study w as to obtain that information by testing the correlation of HOMA with the e uglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp in 36 hypertensive and 27 normotensive sub jects. Clamp-derived insulin sensitivity was calculated as the glucose disp osal rate over steady-state plasma insulin concentration. Homeostasis model assessment was computed using the formula (fasting glucose X fasting insul in)/22.5. There was significant correlation between the clamp and HOMA for both the hypertensive (r = -0.64, P < .0001) and normotensive subjects (r = -0.58, P =.002). The HOMA can be used reliably as a less expensive and les s cumbersome alternative for measuring insulin resistance in hypertension. (C) 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.