Insulin resistance and overweight-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Aim. To estimate (1) the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) by fasting glucose: insulin ratio (G:I) (G:I ≤ 4.5) in overweight-obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women, (2) to compare the clinical and biochemical parameters between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive groups.

Materials and Methods. Eighty-one overweight-obese PCOS women (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m²) were studied. PCOS was diagnosed as per the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. BMI, abdominal circumference (AC), hirsutism (Ferriman Gallway score ≥6), presence of acne and acanthosis nigricans (AN) were noted in each case. Serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured.

Results. 23.5% women were found to have IR. There were no differences in age, frequency of hirsutism, acne, serum testosterone and fasting glucose levels between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive women. However, there were significant differences in BMI, AC, frequency of AN, SHBG levels, fasting insulin levels and FAI between the two groups.

Conclusion. PCOS women with IR are more obese; they have more upper body adiposity and AN. They are more hyperandrogenic. Simple clinical parameters will help to suspect IR in PCOS women.

Keywords:

• Insulin resistance
• obesity
• polycystic ovary syndrome

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