Assessment of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in idiopathic hirsutism: a case–control study

Abstract

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are the most common causes of hirsutism. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance are common findings in PCOS. It is not confirmed whether patients with IH also have similar metabolic consequences or not. Objective To investigate and assess obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in women with IH. Patients and methods A total of 75 women were enrolled in three groups: group A included 25 PCOS cases, group B included 25 IH cases, and group C included 25 healthy, age-matched women who are unrelated to groups A and B. Height, body weight, BMI, and waist circumference were measured. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, fasting blood sugar, and fasting serum insulin were assessed. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and the presence of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Results Hirsutism score, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in IH and PCOS cases compared with controls (P0.05). Hirsutism score, fasting blood sugar, and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in PCOS cases compared with IH cases (P<0.05 for all). Conclusion IH is associated with obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance, with the risk of development of cardiovascular disease.

Keywords

• dyslipidemia
• idiopathic hirsutism
• insulin resistance
• obesity