Insulin resistance in women with hirsutism

INTRODUCTION: There are still not enough data showing whether patients with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) also have insulin resistance. The association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance is well documented in the literature, but the Rotterdam Consensus has concluded that principally obese women with PCOS should be screened for the metabolic syndrome. We intended to investigate the presence/absence of insulin resistance in non-obese women with hirsutism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight women with PCOS (14 non-obese and 14 obese), 12 non-obese with IH, and 16 non-obese healthy women were included in the study. The presence of insulin resistance was investigated by using basal insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score in the study group. RESULTS: Patients with obese and nonobese PCOS had significantly (p < 0.05) higher basal insulin levels and HOMA scores than IH and control subjects. Insulin levels and HOMA scores did not differ between obese and non-obese PCOS patients. Patients with IH did not show any difference from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance exists in non-obese women with PCOS as well as obese women with PCOS. The PCOS is associated with insulin resistance independent of obesity. Insulin resistance should be assessed in all hirsute women with PCOS regardless of their body mass index. More studies in larger numbers of patients should be performed to investigate the role of insulin resistance in women with IH.