Anthropometric and body composition analysis of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the body composition and anthropometric profile of infertile women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate the incidence of PCOS and to examine body fat composition as a risk factor for this disease. METHODS: This hospital-based case controlled study was conducted on a cohort of 132 patients with and without PCOS. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to record body composition parameters, such as total body fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, skeletal muscle composition and their distribution in the trunk, legs and arms, as well as blood pressure. Anthropometric profile parameters, including body mass index (BMI), ideal body weight (IBW), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of incidence of PCOS was 29.74 ± 3.32 years (OR 1.417), and most of the cohort exhibited high to very high visceral fat with significant correlation (p < 0.001). Total body fat distribution and whole, trunk, arm and leg subcutaneous fat were significantly higher in patients with PCOS (p < 0.001). The mean BMI, waist and hip circumference of the PCOS group were 28.2 ± 6.08, 97.44 ± 15.11 cm and 109.22 ± 17.39 cm, respectively. The results also indicated significant increases in DP and MAP (OR 1.528) in patients with PCOS compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study exhibits higher levels of BMI, body fat distribution, waist and hip circumference, diastolic and mean blood pressure, visceral fat, and a disproportionate increase in the level of global fat and its distribution.