The Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) is a index of insulin sensitivity based upon fasting glucose and insulin levels.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which normal amounts of insulin do not result in a normal response in a given person's liver, muscle and fat cells. Insulin resistance is important in the etiology of type 2 diabetes and may also be important in metabolic syndrome.

The Formula used:

• QUICKI = 1 / [log (FastIns) + log (FastGlu))
• FastIns= Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)
• FastGlu= Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)

The conversions (if needed) are:

• [Insulin] µIU/mL = (pmol/L)/6.945
• [Glucose] mg/dL = mmol/L /0.0555

Interpretation:

The lower the QUICKI value, the greater the insulin resistance

• The 5 ^th percentile for QUICKI is 0.337, so many sources represent that a QUICKI of <0.337 is consistent with insulin resistance
• One study, found that adults with QUICKI <0.357 represented those with "typical manifestations of metabolic syndrome"
• Another study found that moderately obese type 2 diabetics had a QUICKI mean of 0.338, whereas non-diabetic normal subjects had a QUICKI mean of 0.389
• Another study found that 0.33 cutoff for QUICKI (e.g. 0.33 or lower) was 61.2% sensitive and 66.8% specific for presence of insulin resistance

References:

• Duncan GE, et al. QUICKI does not accurately reflect changes in insulin sensitivity with exercise training. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86:4115-9.
• Hrebícek J, et al. Detection of Insulin Resistance by Simple Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index QUICKI for Epidemiological Assessment and Prevention. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(1):144.
• Katz A, et al. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index: a simple, accurate method for assessing insulin sensitivity in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85:2402-10.
• Lee S, et al. Cutoff Values of Surrogate Measures of Insulin Resistance for Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Non-diabetic Adults. J Korean Med Sci. 2006;21:695-700.
• Reaven GM. Banting Lecture 1988: role of insulin resistance in human disease. Diabetes. 1988;37:1595-1607.
• Saltiel AR, Olefsky JM. Thiazolidinediones in the treatment of insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Diabetes. 1996;45:1661-9.
• Yokoyama H, et al. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index and the Reciprocal Index of Homeostasis Model Assessment in Normal Range Weight and Moderately Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Diabetes Care.