Insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To investigate the association of insulin resistance with dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome (MBS) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Fasting glucose (G), insulin (I), and lipid levels were measured in 50 infertile women with PCOS. A fasting G/I ratio of 4.5 or less (n = 29) defined insulin resistance (IR). Results: The mean levels of total cholesterol (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.02), and triglycerides (P<0.001) were significantly higher and the mean levels of high-density lipoprotein were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the IR group. The prevalence of MBS (P = 0.02) and obesity (P = 0.04), hypertension (P = 0.02), fasting hyperglycemia (P = 0.03), low high-density lipoprotein levels (P = 0.02), and hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.02) were also significantly higher in the IR group. Conclusion: Insulin resistance is associated with dyslipidemia and MBS in women with PCOS. Lifestyle modification and insulin-sensitizing agents should be part of the management plan. (C) 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.