This possibility is also supported by the results of this study, which indicated that IL-18 increases the predictive power of waist circumference and circulating triglycerides for insulin resistance and that insulin-resistant individuals, as well as those affected by the metabolic syndrome, have higher IL-18 circulating levels compared with their respective counterparts (study participants with a HOMA-IR < 2.5 and those without a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, respectively). The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is metabolic syndrome.