Insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of insulin resistance with dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome (MBS) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Fasting glucose (G), insulin (I), and lipid levels were measured in 50 infertile women with PCOS. A fasting G/I ratio of 4.5 or less (n=29) defined insulin resistance (IR).

RESULTS

The mean levels of total cholesterol (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.02), and triglycerides (P<0.001) were significantly higher and the mean levels of high-density lipoprotein were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the IR group. The prevalence of MBS (P=0.02) and obesity (P=0.04), hypertension (P=0.02), fasting hyperglycemia (P=0.03), low high-density lipoprotein levels (P=0.02), and hypertriglyceridemia (P=0.02) were also significantly higher in the IR group.

CONCLUSION

Insulin resistance is associated with dyslipidemia and MBS in women with PCOS. Lifestyle modification and insulin-sensitizing agents should be part of the management plan.