Abstract

BACKGROUND
Ethnic variability in the relationship between glucose tolerance and insulin secretion has been reported. Clinical characteristics of Korean diabetic patients are different from that of diabetic patients in Western countries. It is generally assumed that typical IDDM or obese diabetic patients are relatively rare among Korean subjects. This study attempted to define the characteristics of fasting serum insulin levels of healthy Korean adult subjects. Futhermore, we tried to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum insulin level and age, body mass index, serum glucose. METHODS: We examined 1917 Korean subjects who had fasting blood glucose within normal range (3.6~6.4mmol/L). The fasting insulin levels, total choiesterol, triglyceride concentrations and anthropometric characteristics(body weight, height and body mass index(BMI)) of these subjects were measured. RESULTS: 1) Mean fasting insulin levels were 33.9+0.5pmol/ L, the fasting insulin levels in men and women were 34.9+0.6 and 31.8+0.6pmol/L, respectively. 2) The fasting insulin levels of obese(BMI>25) subjects were significantly higher than those of non-obese subjects(43.2+ 1.2 pmol/L vs. 30.6+0.6 pmol/L, p<0.001). 3) There were significant differences in the basal insulin levels among the age groups, and fasting blood glucose levels were increased with aging. 4) In a multiple stepwise regression analysis, insulin levels were positively correlated with serum triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, body mass index and negatively correlated with age. Conclusion : The fasting insulin levels of healthy subjects in Korea were relatively lower than the previously measured value of Caucasians. The insulin levels were decreased with aging and increased with the elevation of BMI, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride.

• Keywords: Fasting serum insulin;Korean;Age;BMI;Fasting blood glucose;