A 45‑year‑old patient has a fasting plasma glucose concentration of $6.2$ mmol L$^{-1}$ and a fasting insulin concentration of $12$ µU mL$^{-1}$. (a) Calculate the HOMA‑IR index using $\text{HOMA‑IR}=\frac{\text{Glucose}\times\text{Insulin}}{22.5}$. (b) A lifestyle programme is expected to reduce the patient's body weight by 5 %, which in turn is estimated to lower fasting insulin by 15 % while glucose remains unchanged. Re‑calculate the HOMA‑IR after the programme and state whether the patient remains insulin‑resistant, using a threshold of HOMA‑IR  2.5.

Question

A 45‑year‑old patient has a fasting plasma glucose concentration of $6.2$ mmol L$^{-1}$ and a fasting insulin concentration of $12$ µU mL$^{-1}$. (a) Calculate the HOMA‑IR index using $\text{HOMA‑IR}=\frac{\text{Glucose}\times\text{Insulin}}{22.5}$. (b) A lifestyle programme is expected to reduce the patient's body weight by 5 %, which in turn is estimated to lower fasting insulin by 15 % while glucose remains unchanged. Re‑calculate the HOMA‑IR after the programme and state whether the patient remains insulin‑resistant, using a threshold of HOMA‑IR > 2.5.

Accepted Answer

Initial HOMA‑IR ≈ 3.31 (insulin‑resistant). After 5 % weight loss, HOMA‑IR ≈ 2.81, still > 2.5, so the patient remains insulin‑resistant.

Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2025 Biology Question 30

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