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.