Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences (Jan 2019)

Body composition, metabolic characteristics, and insulin resistance in obese and nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

  • Anil Satyaraddi,
  • Kripa Elizabeth Cherian,
  • Nitin Kapoor,
  • Aleyamma Thaiparambil Kunjummen,
  • Mohan S Kamath,
  • Nihal Thomas,
  • Thomas V Paul

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_2_19
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2
pp. 78 – 84

Abstract

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Objectives: The objective was to compare body composition, metabolic characteristics, and insulin resistance between obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and nonobese PCOS (BMI <25 kg/m2) women and their age- and BMI-matched controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 PCOS women (Rotterdam criteria) (obese – 42; nonobese – 39) and 86 controls (obese – 42; nonobese –44) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. All women underwent a detailed assessment of clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters, insulin resistance indices, and body composition measurements with visceral adipose tissue assessment (VAT) (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan). Results: Of PCOS women, 27% (80% – obese PCOS; 20% – nonobese PCOS) were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation criteria), 35% of PCOS women (46% – obese PCOS; 54% – nonobese PCOS) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 7% of PCOS women (2/3rd – obese PCOS; 1/3rd – nonobese PCOS) had diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance was seen in about 80% in obese PCOS women and 20% in nonobese PCOS women based on various insulin resistance indices such as fasting insulin (≥12.2 μU/ml), Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (≥2.5), and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (<0.33). Total body fat, estimated (Est.) VAT, and corrected Est. VAT (corrected for body weight) were significantly increased (P = 0.0001) in both obese and nonobese PCOS women when compared to those of their age- and BMI-matched controls. However, corrected Est. VAT (corrected for body weight) was not significantly different between obese and nonobese PCOS women. Conclusion: Both obese and nonobese PCOS women when compared with their age- and BMI-matched controls were metabolically worse and had more visceral adiposity. Nonobese PCOS poses similar risk as that of obese PCOS in having similar amount of VAT (corrected for body weight).

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