Introduction:

Central aortic arterial stiffness (CAAS) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Insulin resistance (IR) contributes to CAAS-associated risk.

Objective:

To evaluate the association between IR and CAAS in a Mexican population without diabetes.

Methods:

IR was estimated with Homeostatic Model Assessment 2-Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR) and other surrogate markers (Metabolic score for IR [METS-IR], Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI], triglycerides/glucose index [TyG], TyG*body mass index [TyG*BMI] and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio [TG/HDL-C]). CAAS was evaluated using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity analysis (PWVcf) and the standardized augmentation index (AI-75). Bivariate correlations were made between surrogate markers and PWVcf. Increased CAAS was defined as PWVcf above the 90th percentile. Thresholds and area under the curve (AUC) were obtained for each surrogate marker in order evaluate their performance in estimating increased CAAS.

Results:

Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were included. A correlation was found between HOMA2-IR and PWVcf; this correlation was replicated with other surrogate markers. METS-IR and TyG*IMC had the highest degree correlation with PWVcf. When adjustments were made for covariables, the correlations with TyG*IMC, METS-IR, HOMA2-IR and QUICKI maintained significance. HOMA2-IR showed the strongest correlation with AI-75. METS-IR and TyG showed the best AUC. Patients with prediabetes had the highest PWVcf.

Conclusions:

The relationship between IR and CAAS is present before the onset of diabetes; this association may entail higher cardiovascular risk.