Aims: Minimal model analysis of intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) data represents the reference method to assess insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) that quantify the insulin-dependent and insulin-independent processes of glucose disappearance, respectively. However, test duration (3 h) and need for modeling expertise limit the applicability of this method. Aim of this study was providing a simple predictor of SG applicable to short test (1 h), as previously done with SI.
Methods: Three groups of subjects reflecting different glucose tolerance degrees underwent a 3 h IVGTT: subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 164), with defective glucose regulation (DGR, n = 191), and with type 2 diabetes (T2D, n = 39). Minimal model analysis provided reference SG and its components at zero (GEZI) and basal (BIE) insulin. The simple predictor CSG (calculated SG) was described by the formula CSG = α0 + α1 × KG/Gpeak, being KG the glucose disappearance rate (between 10 and 50 min) and Gpeak the maximum of the glucose curve during the test; α0 and α1 coefficients were provided by linear regression analysis.
Results: CSG and SG showed a markedly significant relationship in the whole dataset (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001) and in the single groups (r = 0.70 in NGT, r = 0.71 in DGR and r = 0.70 in T2D, p < 0.0001 for all); α1 × KG/Gpeak was significantly related to GEZI (r ≥ 0.60).
Conclusions: The interest for insulin-independent glucose disappearance is increasing, due to the recent availability of SGLT2 pharmacological agents, lowering glycemic levels without requiring insulin action. This study proposes a reliable predictor of SG based on IVGTT lasting 1 h only, and not requiring mathematical modeling skills.
Keywords: Basal insulin effect; Empirical index; Mathematical model; Non-insulin-mediated glucose disappearance; One hour intravenous glucose tolerance test.