A study on prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and correlation of insulin resistance with dyslipidemia in South-Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abnormal glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia are all potent cardiovascular risk factors that cluster in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metabolic abnormalities in PCOS women cannot be explained by presence of obesity alone. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and correlation of insulin resistance with serum lipid profile in South-Indian women with PCOS. In this prospective case control study, a total of 45 PCOS women were recruited. All patients underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with blood samples at 0 and 2nd hour. Fasting insulin and lipid profiles were also measured in each case. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), type 2 diabetes mellitus and normal glucose tolerance was found to be 24.44 % (11/45), 4.44 % (2/45), 2.22 % (1/45) and 68.9 % (31/45) respectively. PCOS women had significantly higher serum total cholesterol (P = 0.002), triglycerides (P < 0.001), LDL-C (P = 0.001), VLDLC (P < 0.001) and decreased HDL-C (P < 0.001) compared to control group. No significant correlation was found between HOMA-IR with total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C. However, HDL-C showed negative correlation with HOMA-IR (P = 0.04). Indian women with PCOS are at increased risk of IGT and NIDDM. Also, PCOS women have significant alteration in lipid profile and hence are more prone for cardiovascular disease.