Patients with MEN-1 are more insulin-resistant than their non-affected relatives

Background: Given the clinical impression that patients with type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-1) frequently display abnormal glucose and lipoprotein concentrations, we compared affected subjects followed in our outpatient clinic with their non-affected relatives. Methods: The clinical histories of 35 members (19 affected) from six families with MEN-1 were reviewed. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose, and insulin resistance (homeostasis model) were compared in affected and non-affected subjects. Results: The affected subjects displayed higher total cholesterol and triglycerides and more insulin resistance. Conclusion: Patients with MEN-1 seem to be more insulin-resistant and to have a higher cardiovascular risk than their non-affected relatives. Three non-exclusive, biologically plausible hypotheses are proposed. © 2005 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.