Comparison of Androgen Levels, Endocrine and Metabolic Indices, and Clinical Findings in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Uygur and Han Ethnic Groups from Xinjiang Province in China

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare androgen levels, endocrine and metabolic indices, and clinical findings in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Uygur and Han ethnic groups from Xinjiang Province, China. MATERIAL/METHODS: Between January 2016 to May 2017 clinical data were collected from Uygur (N=82) and Han (N=100) women diagnosed with PCOS, including age, body mass index (BMI), the Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) hirsutism score, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Blood samples obtained from all study participants were used to measure androgenic steroid levels, including androgen, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the free androgen index (FAI). Endocrine indices measured included sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PL). Metabolic indices measured included insulin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). RESULTS: The FAI in Uygur women with PCOS (4.89) was significantly increased compared with Han women with PCOS (2.78) (p<0.05); androgen levels were significantly correlated with the FAI, glucose, insulin, TC, HDL, and LDL (p<0.05); androstenedione levels were positively correlated with glucose and insulin levels (p<0.05). In Han women with PCOS, androgen levels were negatively correlated with TG levels and positively correlated with TC levels (p<0.05); the FAI was positively correlated with glucose and insulin levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in androgen levels, endocrine, and metabolic indices in women with PCOS between the Uygur and Han ethnic groups from Xinjiang Province in China.