Assessment of Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Sarantis Livadas,
Rodis Paparodis,
Panagiotis Anagnostis,
Alessandra Gambineri,
Jelica Bjekić-Macut,
Tijana Petrović,
Bulent O. Yildiz,
Dragan Micić,
George Mastorakos,
Djuro Macut
Affiliations
Sarantis Livadas
Endocrine Unit, Athens Medical Centre, 65403 Athens, Greece
Rodis Paparodis
Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
Panagiotis Anagnostis
Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Alessandra Gambineri
Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Jelica Bjekić-Macut
Department of Endocrinology, UMC Bežanijska kosa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tijana Petrović
Department of Endocrinology, UMC Bežanijska kosa, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Bulent O. Yildiz
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
Dragan Micić
Department of Medical Sciences, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
George Mastorakos
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, Aretaieion Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Djuro Macut
Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for dysglycemia and type 2 diabetes compared to healthy BMI-matched women of reproductive age: robust evidence exists supporting this notion. The presence of altered glycemic status in young women with the syndrome presents a distinct challenge for the clinician for several reasons. Firstly, the reported incidence of this disorder varies among the limited available studies. Furthermore, there is a lack of consensus on the best screening method, which women to screen, at what frequency, and which strategies need to be implemented to reduce the above risk. We provide data regarding the prevalence of dysglycemia in young women suffering from PCOS and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disorder. In addition, we present evidence suggesting universal screening with the oral glucose tolerance test in young women with the syndrome, irrespective of age or BMI status, to identify and manage glycemic abnormalities in a timely manner. Regarding follow-up, oral glucose testing should be carried out at regular intervals if there are initial abnormal findings or predisposing factors. Finally, the efficacy of a well-balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise and the use of non-pharmacologic agents in this specific population is discussed.
