Relationship between platelet count and insulin resistance in Korean adolescents: A nationwide population-based study

Background: To examine the relationship between platelet count and insulin resistance, as measured by a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents. Methods: The study population comprised 1133 participants (636 male and 497 female participants) aged 12-18 years selected from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Insulin resistance was defined as a HOMA-IR value greater than the 85th percentile. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for insulin resistance were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean values of insulin and HOMA-IR increased proportionally with platelet count quartiles for all, male, and female participants. The prevalence of insulin resistance increased significantly with an increase in platelet count quartiles in all, male, and female participants. Compared with the ORs for individuals in the lowest platelet count quartile, the ORs (95% CIs) for insulin resistance in individuals in the highest quartile was 2.90 (1.39-6.07) for all, 2.98 (1.14-8.31) for male, and 2.14 (0.88-5.32) for female participants, after adjusting for age, gender (for all participants), household income, residential area, family history of diabetes mellitus, and overweight [85th percentile ≤ body mass index (BMI) <95th percentiles for age and gender] or obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile). Conclusion: Platelet count was positively associated with insulin resistance in Korean adolescents. These findings suggest that platelet count could be a useful indicator for identifying adolescents with insulin resistance.