Characteristics of children and adolescents with hyperinsulinemia undergoing oral glucose tolerance test: a single-center retrospective observational study

The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation between results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the auxological/metabolic parameters in a cohort of overweight patients assessed for suspicion of hyperinsulinism. We analyzed 206 patients, comparing those with insulin peak below (nonhyperinsulinemic) and over 100 uIU/mL (hyperinsulinemic) at the OGTT. We found a significant difference in weight (p = 0.037), body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001) and BMI standard deviations (SD, p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.001), hip circumference (p = 0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p = 0.016) between the two groups. Analyzing the median insulin value during OGTT in the whole population, a weakly positive correlation emerged with weight SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.292) and a moderate positive correlation with BMI SD (p < 0.001; rho = 0.323). We also found a weakly positive correlation with waist circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.214), hip circumference (p = 0.001; rho = 0.217), and WHTR (p = 0.016; rho = 0.209) and a moderate positive correlation with the HOMA index (p < 0.001; rho = 0.683). The median insulin value correlates with high triglyceride (p < 0.001; rho = 0.266) and triiodothyronine values (p = 0.003; rho = 0.193) and with low HDL values (p < 0.001; rho= 0.272). In clinical practice the interpretation of laboratory and anthropometric parameters could predict the level of insulin, highlighting also a possible underlying diagnosis of insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia without performing an OGTT.