Relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance among a cohort of obese adolescents and young adults in a tertiary institution

Objectives: To demonstrate the relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance among adolescents and young adults. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: This study was conducted within a tertiary institution and the medical outpatient department (MOPD) of its adjourning tertiary health-care institution. Participants: The study was conducted among students of a tertiary institution and patients attending the ABUAD Multi-system Hospital, aged 16-24 years. Main outcome measure: The mean levels of serum adiponectin in obese adolescents and young adults and its relationship with clinical correlates of insulin resistance. Results: Mean serum adiponectin level was 6.8 µg/ml, which is comparable to what has been obtained in other studies. Statistically non-significant negative correlations were noted between serum adiponectin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as with the clinical correlates of insulin resistance such as Body Mass Index and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: This study demonstrated no significant correlation between serum adiponectin and markers of insulin resistance among these participants and may not be a useful marker of insulin resistance among this group of individuals; hence, its routine measurement may not be appropriate. A follow-up study involving more obese subjects may, however, be more revealing. Funding: None declared.