Usefulness of a new anthropometric indicator - VAI (Visceral Adiposity Index) in the evaluation of metabolic and hormonal disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a new anthropometric indicator that makes it possible to define the risk of obesity-related cardiometabolic complications even before the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluating the usefulness of VAI in order to differentiate metabolically unhealthy women (MU-PCOS) and defining the usefulness of this index in everyday practice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted among 43 women who met the Rotterdam criteria for diagnosing polycystic ovarian syndrome. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA v. 10 and relevant statistical tests. The adopted significance level was p = 0.05.

RESULTS

Based on the study results, a significant positive correlation was found between the value of VAI and the concentration of insulin (r = 0.33; p < 0.01), HOMA index (r = 0.46; p < 0.01) and FAI (r = 0.54; p < 0.01). It was also shown that there is a significant negative correlation between VAI and the concentration of SHBG (r = -0.53; p < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.88; p < 0.01). In the group of metabolically unhealthy women, the research showed a significantly higher value of free testosterone, SHGB, DHEAS and FAI (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral adiposity index makes it possible to introduce early prevention of metabolic disorders (including cardiometabolic disorders), as well as to evaluate the increase of hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The use of the cut-off point of VAI = 1.675 is a simple way to evaluate women with MU-PCOS.