Anthropometric Characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Their Associations with Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile

This study evaluates whether women with PCOS have a different body composition than non-PCOS women (controls), estimated by anthropometric methods, and whether body composition and PCOS condition could be predictors of insulin resistance (IR) and lipid profile (LP) in an independent manner. A case-control study was conducted in which women (126) were diagnosed with PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria and controls (159) were women without PCOS attending the gynecological clinic for routine examinations. Women with PCOS had higher body mass index, percentage of fat mass, and testosterone than controls. A higher fat mass predicted higher levels of triglycerides, LDL-c, and lower levels of HDL-c independently of PCOS condition. HOMA-IR was related to fat mass and was more significant in patients with PCOS. A higher bone mass was associated with lower total cholesterol and LDL-c independent of PCOS condition. Lower HOMA-IR remained associated with PCOS regardless of bone mass. Lean mass percentages predicted a better metabolic profile (lower triglycerides and higher HDL-c), and was also modulated by PCOS condition. Our results highlight the importance of body composition as an anthropometrical characteristic of PCOS, and the relationship of fat mass with a worse metabolic profile. In addition, PCOS condition was associated with worse HOMA-IR independent of body composition.

Automated summary

This study found that women with PCOS had higher body mass index, percentage of fat mass, and testosterone than controls. An increase in fat mass independently predicted higher triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels.