Sex-specific Differences in the Association between Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome and Ferritin in Korean Adults: A Nationwide Population-based Study

Mi Young  Gi; Ju Ae  Cha; Hyun Yoon

Authors

Mi Young Gi Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, South Korea https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3998-4751
Ju Ae Cha 2Department of Nursing, Chunnam Technouniversity, South Korea https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9366-643X
Hyun Yoon Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Wonkwang University, South Korea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4741-9664

Keywords:

ferritin, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, gender difference, Korean adults

Abstract

Objective This study assessed the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ferritin based on gender in Korean adults.

Methods This study was conducted using data from 5,730 adults (aged 20 or older) and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results This study included some key findings First, HOMA-IR levels showed a positive correlation with quartiles (Q) of ferritin both in postmenopausal women (p = 0.001) and in men (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the HOMA-IR levels and the Q of ferritin in premenopausal women (p = 0.149). Second, using the Q1 of ferritin as the reference, the ORs of MetS were positively significant in men (Q3 [OR, 1.770; 95% CI, 1.308–2.397] and Q4 [OR, 2.385; 95% CI, 1.775–3.20]) and postmenopausal women (Q4 [OR, 1.873; 95% CI, 1.351–2.596]). However, there was no significant difference between MetS and the quartiles of ferritin in premenopausal women.

Conclusions An increase in ferritin is associated with both metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in both Korean postmenopausal women and men. However, there is no significant difference between ferritin and metabolic syndrome in premenopausal women.

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