Evaluation of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) for Patients with and without Thyroid Nodules: A Patient-Based Study

Leila Moradi; Maryam Amir Ahmadi; Azim Moaatamedfar; Homeira Rashidi; Ferdos Zaman; Hamed Taheri

doi:10.4103/abr.abr_63_21

Evaluation of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) for Patients with and without Thyroid Nodules: A Patient-Based Study

Adv Biomed Res. 2023 Aug 31:12:208. doi: 10.4103/abr.abr_63_21. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Leila Moradi¹, Maryam Amir Ahmadi¹, Azim Moaatamedfar², Homeira Rashidi¹, Ferdos Zaman¹, Hamed Taheri³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
² Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
³ Department of Anatomical, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between patients with and without thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods: This case-control study was performed on 86 patients with normal Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level (0.5-4.5 mIU/L) with thyroid nodules, who referred to Imam Khomeini and Golestan Hospitals (Ahvaz, Iran). Furthermore, 43 nonnodule patients with normal TSH level and normal thyroid ultrasonography were recruited from the general population as control group. The insulin resistance was evaluated for them made and the HOMA-IR ≥2.5 was defined as insulin resistance.

Results: The mean of HOMA-IR value was significantly higher in thyroid nodule patients compared to controls (3.02 ± 1.92 vs. 1.10 ± 1.55; P < 0.001). Insulin resistance was seen in 49 thyroid nodule patients (57.0%), and 4 patients (9.3%) in the control group (P < 0.0001). Waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin levels were significantly higher in the thyroid nodule group.

Conclusions: Our study shows there is an association between insulin resistance and thyroid nodules. The patients with thyroid nodules have higher HOMA-IR value.

Keywords: Insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; thyroid nodules.