Hyperinsulinemia in the polycystic ovary syndrome: a clinical, endocrine and echographic study in 240 patients

Abstract

In recent years numerous studies have suggested insulin to be an important regulator of ovarian function and hyperinsulinemia to be associated with hyperandrogen-ism. An oral glucose-tolerance test was carried out in 240 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and, based on its result, 142 of the women (59.2%) were insulin resistant or hyperinsulinemic and 98 (40.8%) were normoinsu-linemic. Compared with the normoinsulinemicgroup, the hyperinsulinemic group had a greater incidence of obesity (52.8 vs. 21.4%>), secondary amenorrhea (24.6 vs. 9.2%), androgenic symptoms (85.9 vs. 67.4%) and, in particular, hirsutism with or without acne (71.8 vs. 48.0%). Moreover, the hyperinsulinemic group had significantly higher plasma levels of androstenedione, testosterone, free testosterone and insulin, and lower levels of luteinizing hormone, estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin.

Key Words:

• Hyperinsulinemia
• Obesity
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Hyperandrogenism