Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have many features in common and may share the same pathogenesis. We examined the prevalence of the MS according to the ATP III criteria and the effect of family history for DM 2 on metabolic profile in young women with PCOS.

Subjects and methods: We studied 75 women with PCOS aged (23.9±5.4) and 75 healthy age-matched women. We measured BMI, WHR and blood pressure (BP). After an overnight fast and hormone, lipid and glucose blood levels were determined. Homeostasis model assessment score of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) and free androgen index (FAI) were calculated. Women with impaired glucose tolerance or DM 2 were excluded from the study. If one of the parents suffered from DM 2 this was considered a positive family history (FHP).

Results: Subjects and control women were similar in age, BMI and smoking habits. However, PCOS subjects had significantly higher WHR (0.79±0.07 vs 0.75±0.04, P=0.001), HOMA-IR (3.2 vs 1.9 P<0.001) and FAI (10.5 vs 2.8, P<0.001). Additionally, patients with PCOS had higher Total (187±35 vs 178±28, P=0.02) and LDL-cholesterol (118±35 vs 103±24, P=0.01) and lower HDL-cholesterol levels (49±14 vs 61±13, P<0.001) compared to control women. The prevalence of MS and FHP by χ² test was higher in PCOS women than controls (21.3% vs 5.3%, P=0.004) and (32% vs 12%, P=0.02) respectively.

Multiple regression analysis showed that apart from age (β=0.28, P<0.001), MS was also positively associated with HOMA-IR (β=0.66, P<0.001) and FAI (β=0.43, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a FHP was associated with an increased risk for MS (OR=2.41, P<0.01).

Conclusions: MS and a FHP of DM 2 are present with significantly higher frequency in young women with PCOS. FHP has a substantial impact on the metabolic profile of these women and can be used as a predicting factor for the MS.