How to Cite
Abstract
Background: To determine the relationship between
serum leptin and insulin resistance in obese Pakistani
subjects.
Methods: In this observational study fifty healthy
obese and overweight subjects were selected by nonprobability
convenience sampling. Age, sex, height,
weight and body mass index (BMI) of subjects were
recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, serum leptin and
insulin were measured. Fifty healthy non-obese subjects
served as control group.
Results: Serum leptin concentration was higher in
obese subjects (52.8 ± 24.6 ng/ml), with p value 0.001 than
in non-obese healthy controls (6.3 ± 3.1 ng/ml). Serum
leptin level was found higher in women (64.4ng/ml) than
in men (40.4ng/ml) only in obese group. Insulin resistance
was higher in obese subjects (11.1 ± 5.1), with p value 0.001
than control group (0.9 ± 0.4). BMI strongly correlated with
leptin concentration (r = 0.59 & p = 0.001) and insulin
resistance (r = 0.372 & p = 0.001) in obese group. There was
highly significant correlation between serum leptin
concentration and insulin resistance (r = 0.451 & p = 0.001)
in this group. In the control group, there was no
correlation between serum leptin concentration and
insulin resistance (r = 0.166 & p = 0.249).
Conclusions: Serum leptin is positively correlated
with insulin resistance in obese subjects. Serum leptin
level and insulin resistance are higher in obese subjects