In this bonus post in our ODX HOMA2 series, we talk about QUICKI, another calculation that allows us to make an assessment of insulin resistance in our patients.
QUICKI – An Additional Index for Assessing Insulin Resistance in Our Patients
Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN
The ODX HOMA2 Series
- HOMA2 part 1 - The HOMA2 Calculator: An Important Series of Indices for Gauging Insulin Resistance
- HOMA2 part 2 - HOMA2 - %B: An Index For Gauging the Beta Cell Output of Insulin from the Pancreas
- HOMA2 part 3 - HOMA2 - %S: An Index For Assessing Cellular Sensitivity to Insulin
- HOMA2 part 4 - HOMA2 - IR: An Index For Assessing the Degree of Insulin Resistance
- Bonus - QUICKI – An Additional Index for Assessing Insulin Resistance in Our Patients
- Optimal - The Podcast: Episode 5: The HOMA2 Calculator in Clinical Practice - an Interview with Dr. Brad Rachman
QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index), a variation of HOMA2, is a simple calculation that uses fasting glucose and fasting insulin to assess insulin sensitivity and show the degree of insulin resistance.
QUICKI was found to strongly correlate inversely with fasting insulin in those who were healthy non-obese non-diabetic; obese non-diabetic; and those with glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes. [1]
Calculating QUICKI
QUICKI is the inverse of the sum of fasting insulin and fasting glucose logarithms. [2] [3] A low value indicates a trend towards insulin resistance.
QUICKI formula: 1 / [log(Fasting insulin in mIU/L) + log(Fasting glucose in mg/dL)]
What do the results of QUICKI indicate?
- Greater than 0.45: Normal reference level
- 0.30 - 0.45: Insulin resistance likely
- Less than 0.339: Associated with a trend towards increasing insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular disease
- Less than 0.30: Diabetes diagnosis likely
QUICKI, Metabolic Syndrome and NAFLD
A cohort study of 5511 adults suggests specific cut-off values for diagnosing metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in men and women.[4]
QUICKI cut-off values in this study:
- Metabolic syndrome: 0.343 in men and 0.331 in women
- NAFLD: 0.347 in men and 0.333 in women
Ranges QUICKI:
- Standard Range: 0.34 – 5
- Optimal: 0.37 - 5
Is QUICKI included in the Optimal DX software?
Yes! Optimal DX now gives our users the ability to add QUICKI to their patient’s Functional Health Reports.
References
[1] Hauache, Omar M, and José G H Vieira. “Fasting insulin concentration is highly correlated with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index.” Endocrine vol. 21,2 (2003): 137-8.
[2] MD App QUICKI- Insulin Sensitivity. Retrieved September 27, 2020 https://www.mdapp.co/homa-ir-calculator-for-insulin-resistance-482/
[3] MD App insulin sensitivity QUICKI calculator. Retrieved September 27, 2020 from https://www.mdapp.co/insulin-sensitivity-quicki-calculator-324/
[4] Motamed, Nima et al. “Optimal cutoff points for HOMA-IR and QUICKI in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population based study.” Journal of diabetes and its complications vol. 30,2 (2016): 269-74.
