Metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract EN

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common form of chronic anovulation associated with androgen excess ; it occurs in about 5-10 % reproductive age women.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, abnormalities of blood clotting and dyslipidemia.

Adult women with PCOS have an increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MBS).

Objectives: to detect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with proved PCOS, attending the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, in Baghdad.

Materials and methods : A total number of 40 women with proved PCOS were included in this study which was conducted in the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes-Baghdad, over a period of 5 months (from April till September 2005).

In addition to measuring waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), all patients were tested for the levels of C-peptide, Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle st imulating hormone(FSH), Prolactin(PRL Progesterone, estradiol (E2), testosterone, T3, T4 and TSH.

Also lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was estimated to all patients.

Glucose tolerance test (GTT) using 75 gm of glucose was performed on all patients.

Results : out of 40 women with PCOS, eleven Patients (27.5%) have impaired GTT.

Twenty patients (50 %) out of 40 fulfil the criteria of the International Diabetes Fideration (IDF) Consensus Definition of the metabolic syndrome (MBS)-2005 Thirty-Seven patients (92.5%) have a waist circumference more than 80 cm.

Thirty-two patients (80 %) have secondary amenorrhea.

Hirsuitism and increased BMI (body mass index) were present in 33 patients (82.5 %) The mean C-peptide level was higher in those patients who had impaired GTT (11 patients), meaning that GTT can be used to detect insulin resistance specially in Labs.

Where measurements of insulin levels are not available.