Abstract

BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance and consequent hyperinsulinemia. Insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of the MS and whether the insulin resistance or hyperandrogenemia is related to the MS in young Korean women with PCOS. METHODS: 143 women with PCOS (mean age 26+/-5 years) were studied to evaluate the prevalence of MS by modified Adult Treatment Panel III. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS in women with PCOS was 11.9%, 2.8-fold higher than age matched women in Korean urban population. The most frequent component of MS was low HDL cholesterol (39.4%), and the least frequent one was high fasting serum glucose levels (6.7%). The frequency of MS was 40.7% in obese PCOS (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2, n = 38), 10.0% in overweight PCOS (BMI 23~24.9 kg/m2, n = 13), and 0% in lean PCOS (BMI < 23 kg/m2, n = 92). The frequency of MS was 26.1% in insulin resistant PCOS (insulin mediated glucose uptake, IMGU < lowest 10th percentile of lean controls, n = 65), whereas no one had MS in insulin sensitive PCOS (IMGU > or = lowest 10th percentile of lean controls, n = 78). CONCLUSION: MS is frequent in young women with PCOS, and obesity and insulin resistance might be essential for the development of MS in this study group.

• Keywords: Metabolic syndrome;PCOS