Inflammation Promotes Insulin Resistance: Analysis Based on Inflammation Indices Obtained from the Complete Blood Count.

Purpose: Systemic inflammation indices, including the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) may contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. This study aimed to examine their associations with adipose tissue insulin resistance (Adipo-IR) and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 11416 participants recruited at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between six inflammatory indices and both Adipo-IR and HOMA-IR. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, sex and BMI to evaluate potential effect modification. Results: All six inflammation indices were significantly associated with Adipo-IR, with higher levels conferring increased risk of high Adipo-IR after adjustment for confounding factors. Similar trends were observed for the association of AISI, NLR, NPR, SII, SIRI and HOMA-IR, whereas MLR showed no significant association. Subgroup analyses indicated that NLR and SII were more strongly associated with high Adipo-IR in women, and that SII was more strongly associated with both high Adipo-IR and HOMA-IR in participants aged 18-44 years. Conclusion: Elevated systemic inflammation indices were positively associated with both Adipo-IR and HOMA-IR. These findings suggest that routine blood count-derived indices may serve as cost-effective indicators of early metabolic dysfunction.