The Role of Visceral Adiposity Index as Predictor of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background:To evaluate anthropometric-metabolic biomarkers as predictors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with and without obesity. Methods:This was an observational cross-sectional study. Patients were classified as nonobese-PCOS (body mass index, BMI <30 kg/m(2),n = 385), and obese-PCOS (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2),n = 261). The anthropometric parameters waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, lean body mass, fat body mass, visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulating product, and biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolisms were compared between groups. Binominal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of MS. Results:Obesity was diagnosed in 40% of all PCOS women (P < 0.001). Blood pressure and anthropometric abnormalities were significantly more frequent in obese-PCOS women (P < 0.001, for all comparisons). Glucose metabolism markers were higher in obese-PCOS compared with nonobese-PCOS (P < 0.001, for all comparisons). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in obese group than in nonobese group (1.26 mM vs. 1.08 mM,P < 0.001). MS was found in 23 of 385 (6%) nonobese-PCOS and in 116 of 261 (44.4%) obese-PCOS (P < 0.001). VAI was the best predictor of MS in both nonobese-PCOS (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-11.1) and obese-PCOS (OR = 12.9, 95% CI 5.7-29.0). Conclusions:MS is more prevalent in PCOS women with obesity. VAI was the strongest predictor of MS in both obese and nonobese PCOS women, and can be applied in clinical practice for early detection of risk for MS and precocious intervention in women with PCOS, particularly in obese women.

Automated summary

The study found that women with obese-PCOS are more prone to metabolic syndrome (MS) compared to non-obese PCOS women, with symptoms including high blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) was identified as the best predictor of MS, aiding in early detection of the disease risk in women with PCOS.