Abstract
Insulin resistance is considered to be a key pathophysiological feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but it is not essential to the diagnosis of the syndrome. However, insulin resistance underpins the metabolic profile found in PCOS, which includes dyslipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance. The metabolic features associated with PCOS, especially in the obese PCOS patient, form the metabolic syndrome. The major implications of these changes are the long-term consequences of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, identification of this risk and counseling of the patient in order to reduce future risk is essential. As obesity augments the risk of long-term consequences, weight loss and weight maintenance form the mainstay of treatment.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.