What is the Origin of Homeostasis Model Assessment?

The model was developed in the mid-1980s as a mathematical model based on the concept of metabolic feedback loops maintaining glucose homeostasis. Its creation allowed researchers and clinicians to move beyond simple fasting blood tests to gain a more dynamic, model-based understanding of insulin's effectiveness at the tissue level. The assessment's enduring utility lies in its simplicity and high correlation with more complex, direct measures.

What is the Mechanism of Homeostasis Model Assessment?

HOMA operates on the principle that fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels are interdependent and reflect a state of metabolic equilibrium. The HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance) index is calculated by multiplying fasting glucose by fasting insulin and dividing by a constant, providing a surrogate measure of the body's resistance to insulin's action. A separate calculation, HOMA-β, estimates the pancreatic beta-cell's functional capacity to secrete insulin, thereby offering a dual metric for comprehensive metabolic assessment and personalized intervention planning.

Homeostasis Model Assessment

Meaning

The Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) is a quantitative method used in clinical practice to estimate insulin resistance and beta-cell function from fasting glucose and insulin levels. HOMA provides a simple, non-invasive calculation that offers a functional snapshot of the body’s metabolic efficiency and the pancreatic beta-cell’s compensatory response. It is a vital tool for the early identification and monitoring of metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetic states.