Insulin Resistance and Hypertension among Type 2 Diabetes Subjects in a Tertiary Institution in South East Nigeria

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequently associated with hypertension (HTN), adding significantly to its overall morbidity and mortality. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and blood pressure and other factors associated with both conditions. Patients, Materials and Methods: A case–control study of 180 subjects consisting of 60 with T2DM and HTN, 60 with T2DM and normal blood pressure, and 60 without T2DM or HTN (control). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical parameters were obtained from each subject and control. IR was derived from homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR index calculated from fasting blood glucose and insulin. Results: The mean age of subjects with T2DM and HTN was 49.58 ± 10.50 years, that of subjects with T2DM and normotension was 48.50 ± 10.44 years, while that of controls was 48.85 ± 10.15 years. IR (HOMA-IR ≥2) was found in 96.7% of subjects with T2DM and HTN, 88.3% of those with T2DM and normotension, and 1.7% of subjects with neither of both conditions. Central obesity (Waist circumference ”WC”), overweight, and obesity (BMI) significantly related to IR in subjects with T2DM and HTN (p = 0.020, 0.021 and 0.016 respectively) while only WC and obesity (BMI) significantly related to IR in subjects with T2DM and normotension (p = 0.001 and 0.036 respectively). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of IR in T2DM subjects which is heightened by the presence of HTN.