The lack of association between idiopathic hirsutism and metabolic disturbances: Iranian PCOS Prevalence Study

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic hirsutism (IH) is a condition diagnosed after other hirsutism related is ruled out. Its definition diagnosis had a dynamic process along with improving the understanding of the various androgen excess disorders. There is uncertainty regarding its health impact and its long-term metabolic consequences. We aimed to compare metabolic syndrome (Mets) and insulin resistance (IR) of Iranian women with IH and a group of healthy controls in a large community-based study.

Methods: Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, Mets (using Joint Interim Statement criteria) and IR (estimated by the homeostasis model assessment), were compared between 101 women with IH and 423 healthy controls recruited from among 1126 reproductive aged women.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the BMI of women with IH in comparison to normal control (27.7 versus 26.7 kg/m², p = 0.02); however, the prevalence of android adiposity was similar (26.7% and 24.3%, respectively). The age and BMI adjusted prevalence of Mets and IR are similar in women with IH and controls (30% versus 23.9 and 25.7 % versus 22.5%, respectively).

Conclusion: There will be no need for additional cardiometabolic evaluations for women with IH, later in life.

• Android adiposity
• community based study
• idiopathic hirsutism
• insulin resistance
• metabolic syndrome

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to each of the study participants for the substantial time and effort contributed to this study. Acknowledgments are also due to the research staff at the health department of Ghazvin, Golestan, Kermanshah, and Hormozgan provinces. Our special thanks to Dr. M. Tohidi for her important contribution on testing and to Ms. N. Shiva for language editing of the manuscript . We also thank the National Council of Scientific Research of the I.R. Iran for approving founding of this national research project.