Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: We aimed to examine the relationship between the healthy eating index (HEI) and steroidogenesis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods: In addition to demographic records and routine biochemical tests, HEI was calculated from three-day nutritional records in the Bebis program. Adrenal steroidogenesis panel was measured by LCMS.

Results: The study included 50 women with PCOS and 42 healthy controls. The groups were matched in terms of age and BMI. Waist circumference and hip circumference were significantly higher in the patient group. Although there was no difference in terms of fasting blood glucose and hba1c, HOMA IR was statistically significantly higher in favor of the patient group. However, there was no difference between the groups in terms of HEI. In the steroidogenesis hormone panel, only total testosterone, dheas and 17OHP and 11 deoxycorticosterone were statistically different in favor of the PCOS group. There was a positive relationship between HEI and 11 deoxycortisol in the PCOS group, while a negative relationship was found in the control group. On the other hand, while there was a negative relationship between HEI and pregnenolone in the PCOS group, no relationship was found in the control group. The rest showed no correlation with HEI scores in either group.

Conclusions: Although PCOS patients have similar weight and nutrition patterns to healthy controls, they may have metabolic dysfunction. A healthy eating pattern may be likely to shift the axis of andogenesis to the side of the cortisol axis. Nutrition can play a major role in the management of these patients.