Insulin Resistance Is Independently Associated With Enlarged Perivascular Space in the Basal Ganglia in Nondiabetic Healthy Elderly Population

Objectives: To investigate the association between insulin resistance (IR) and enlarged perivascular space (EPVS) in the basal gangliain nondiabetic healthy elderly population.

Methods: A total of 235 nondiabetic healthy elderly population were recruited. A 3-level scale was used to evaluate the burden of EPVSs. The homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was used for IR estimation. Correlation between IR and severity of EPVS was assessed using the regression model after adjusting demographics and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results: The top quartile of HOMA-IR was 2.52, and 25.11% of patients showed IR. The proportion of patients with IR was higher in the moderate to severe EPVS group than in the mild group (36.51% vs 20.93%, P = .015). In multivariate logistic analysis, IR was positively correlated with the moderate to severe EPVS (adjusted odds ratio: 3.532, 95% confidence interval: 1.633-7.636, P = .001) after adjusting classical risk factors.

Conclusions: Insulin resistance was independently correlated with EPVS in the basal ganglia in nondiabetic healthy elderly population.