Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The role of pancreatic insulin secretion in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not clear. To evaluate insulin sensitivity (IS) and β-cell function in lean and obese women with PCOS, either separately or by using an disposition index (DI).

Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 137 Chinese women with PCOS and 123 normal women were examined by anthropometry, lipid profile, sex hormone, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), and insulin tolerance tests. Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests, as appropriate.

Results: After controlling for BMI status, the Matsuda index was significantly lower in women with PCOS in comparison to those of normal women (P<0.01). With regard to the insulin resistance in the homeostasis model it was found that the assessment index was significantly higher in women with PCOS in comparison to those of normal woman (P<0.001). On the other hand, early phase insulin secretion (insulinogenic index) remained significantly lower in lean women with PCOS than those of both lean and obese women of the control group (P=0.007, and P=0.10 respectively). The mean Log HOMA-F values were significantly lower (P=0.045) in obese women with PCOS than those with BMI-marked women. Further, all disposition indexes (DIs) derived from non-fasting state indexes in women with PCOS were significantly lower than those of BMI- and WHR-matched control women (P<0.001 for all). Lastly, DIs derived from fasting states indexes in obese women with PCOS were significantly lower than those of lean women with PCOS.

Conclusion: Impaired β-cell function was detected in both the lean and obese women with PCOS. However, more serious primary defect in insulin action was observed in lean women with PCOS compared to obese women with PCOS. These findings imply that early screening and intervention for PCOS could be therapeutic for Chinese women.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This work was supported, however, funding details unavailable.