Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome amongst Saudi Arabian Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder amongst the women of reproductive age. Metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and insulin resistance that increases cardiovascular risks. Evidence suggests a link between PCOS and metabolic syndrome; however, limited data exist on their coexistence amongst Saudi Arabian women. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome amongst Saudi women with PCOS. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 1452 Saudi women diagnosed with PCOS from various clinics. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing demographics, PCOS/metabolic syndrome diagnoses, symptoms, management and awareness. Descriptive statistics characterised the sample. The Chi-square tests examined the associations between PCOS and metabolic parameters. Results: The sample comprised 1452 women aged 18–64 years old. 54.5% had PCOS diagnosis while 1.7% had metabolic syndrome. Thirty-eight per cent reported no metabolic symptoms. A significant association was found between PCOS and metabolic syndrome diagnoses ( P < 0.001). Regarding metabolic parameters, 24.8% underwent insulin resistance tests, 0.8% had dyslipidaemia diagnosis and 34.7% measured waist circumference. Sixty-two per cent observed no insulin resistance changes and 68.6% no lipid changes. 28.1% agreed on the relationship between metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and central obesity. 41.3% had some awareness on metabolic consequences. Conclusion: The study identified notable metabolic syndrome prevalence amongst Saudi women with PCOS, denoting their clinical interconnection. Metabolic syndrome exhibited associations with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and central obesity. Lifestyle modifications were commonly adopted for management despite relatively low awareness levels.