Metabolic and Endocrine Characteristics of Indian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinological disorders among women of reproductive age and the leading cause of female infertility. This study intends to evaluate the lipid profile, hormonal levels [free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin] in PCOS women from Nellore and its surrounding districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 newly diagnosed PCOS women and an equal number of age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls. We used the photometry methods to determine serum glucose levels and the lipid profile. An immunoturbidometry method was employed to measure high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). All hormonal parameters were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassays. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.0. RESULTS: The PCOS patients presented statistically higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c, P<0.0001) when compared to those of controls. PCOS patients had elevated fasting glucose, hsCRP, fasting insulin, TSH, LH and prolactin levels (P<0.001). An increased LH/FSH ratio (>1.5) was seen in women with PCOS compared with control women. In addition, we observed a direct correlation between fasting insulin with fasting glucose and HOMA-IR. LH was inversely proportional to BMI. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a higher prevalence of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism in PCOS women. Furthermore this study showed increased LH concentrations, a higher LH/FSH ratio, and higher prolactin levels in PCOS women.