Risk of impaired glucose tolerance in normal weight hirsute women during four years observation

Abstract

Hirsutism is a common disorder affecting 5–20% of women in reproductive age. Only limited follow-up data exist regarding the prognosis for glucose tolerance and metabolic risk factors in hirsutism. Sixty-nine Caucasian hirsute women underwent a clinical examination and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during 1997–2002 (baseline) and during 2003–2004 (re-evaluation). The observation period was (median; range) 4 (2–7) years. During re-evaluation, body mass index (BMI) was 24.9 (22.4–29.0) kg/m² and total Ferriman-Gallwey score was 10 (7–15) (median; 25–75% quartile). The women had unchanged BMI compared to baseline but increased fasting and 2 hour glucose levels. Impaired OGTT outcome during follow-up was seen in 14/66 (21.2%) women, 5/66 (7.6%) developed diabetes. Women who took oral contraceptives had a significantly decreased area under the curve (AUC) for insulin during follow-up, whereas AUC glucose levels increased. The present data supported a high risk of diabetes in only moderately overweight hirsute women.

Key words::

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• insulin
• oral contraceptives
• oral glucose tolerance test
• reproductive endocrinology
• hirsutism

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.