Understanding metabolic patterns in polycystic ovary syndrome: Comparing lean and obese women at a family medicine clinic

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder and various phenotypes have been described. While most women with PCOS are obese, women who are lean also suffer from PCOS. Metabolic derangements often accompany this syndrome. Family physicians, being the first point of contact in the healthcare system, play a vital role in the early diagnosis and management of this condition through diet and lifestyle modifications. The present study was conducted at the Diet and Lifestyle Diseases Management Division of a Family Medicine Clinic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and metabolic parameters in women diagnosed with PCOS. The case records of women with PCOS, diagnosed as per modified Rotterdam criteria and who attended the outpatient clinic from January 2020 to December 2022, were chosen. Data on BMI and metabolic parameters were retrieved and statistically analyzed. Results: Upon analysis of 51 case records, 25.49% of women were in the lean group and 74.51% were overweight or obese. Triglycerides/HDL ratio (1.91 ± 0.47 vs 3.97 ± 5.89) and Vitamin D levels (Median 14.12 vs 16.10 ng/ml) were abnormal in both the obese and the lean women groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. Other metabolic parameters were within normal ranges. Conclusion: The present study indicates that metabolic derangements are associated with PCOS, irrespective of BMI. More robust studies in larger population samples are needed to elucidate the role of metabolic derangements and mainly insulin resistance in the pathophysiology of PCOS and its different phenotypes.

Keywords

• body mass index
• family physician
• polycystic ovary syndrome