Comparison of the [13C]Glucose Breath Test to the Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp When Determining Insulin Resistance
- Richard Z. Lewanczuk, MD, PHD,
- Breay W. Paty, MD and
- Ellen L. Toth, MD
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Richard Lewanczuk, Division of Endocrinology, 362 HMRC, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2S2. E-mail: rlewancz{at}gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—With increasing emphasis on the recognition of the metabolic syndrome and early type 2 diabetes, a clinically useful measure of insulin resistance is desirable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an index of glucose metabolism, as measured by 13CO2 generation from ingested [13C]glucose, would correlate with indexes from the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 26 subjects with varying degrees of insulin sensitivity underwent both the [13C]glucose breath test and the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Results from the [13C]glucose breath test were compared with measures of insulin sensitivity from the glucose clamp as well as with other commonly used indexes of insulin sensitivity.
RESULTS—There was a strong correlation between the [13C]glucose breath test result and the glucose disposal rate (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001) and insulin sensitivity index (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001) from the insulin clamp. The magnitude of these correlations compared favorably with QUICKI and were superior to the homeostasis model assessment.
CONCLUSIONS—The [13C]glucose breath test may provide a useful noninvasive assessment of insulin sensitivity.
- ADA, American Diabetes Association
- HOMA, homeostasis model assessment
- ISI, insulin sensitivity index
- QUICKI, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index
Footnotes
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R.Z.L. holds stock in Isotechnika Inc.
A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
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- Accepted October 21, 2003.
- Received August 5, 2003.
- DIABETES CARE
