Insulin resistance – prognosis

Insulin resistance – prognosis

The prognosis of insulin resistance depends on a number of factors, including:

IO stage, pancreatic beta cell function, hereditary susceptibility to secondary complications of insulin resistance and individual response to therapy. The spectrum of outcomes ranges from those with mild insulin resistance, asymptomatic to those with catastrophic cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events.Statistically, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with diabetes in seventh place. The common basis of diabetes and many resulting vascular diseases is insulin resistance. Additional mortality due to insulin resistance occurs in less common manifestations of the disease, including genetic syndromes and diseases related to the accumulation of fat especially in and on internal organs. Finally, significant morbidity is manifested by loss of reproductive function and associated PCOS.

Increased clinical awareness enables early diagnosis and treatment. Better understanding of the disease process has resulted in more targeted, multifaceted treatments. Continual efforts to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through better diet and healthy eating habits and increased physical activity can reduce insulin resistance and prevent complications. A more generalized layman’s diagnosis may increase the effectiveness of preventive care, with the hope of ultimately reducing epidemic obesity and consequent insulin resistance.

Source: Freeman AM, Pennings N. Insulin Resistance. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507839/