Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is
the most common form of chronic anovulation
associated with androgen excess; it occurs in about 5
– 10% 0f reproductive age women. Metabolic
syndrome is characterized by insulin resistance,
hypertension, obesity, abnormalities of blood clotting
and dyslipidemia.
Adult women with PCOS have an increased
prevalence of the metabolic syndrome(MBS).
Objectives: To detect the prevalence of metabolic
syndrome in women with proved PCOS, attending the
Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, in
Baghdad.
Materials and methods : A total number of 40
women with proved PCOS were included in this study
which was conducted in the Specialized Center for
Endocrinology and Diabetes-Baghdad, over a period
of 5 months(from April till September 2005).In
addition to measuring waist circumference and body
mass index(BMI),all patients were tested for the
levels of C-peptide, Fasting plasma glucose(FPG),
Serum luteinizing hormone(LH), Follicle st –
imulating hormone(FSH), Prolactin(PRL),
Progesterone, estradiol(E2), testosterone,T3,T4 and
TSH .
Also lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c) were
estimated to all patients. Glucose tolerance test(GTT)
using 75 gm of glucose was performed on all patients.
Results: Out of 40 women with PCOS,eleven
patients(27.5%) have impaired GTT. Twenty patients
(50%) out of 40 fulfil the criteria of the International
Diabetes Fideration(IDF)
Consensus Definition of the metabolic
syndrome(MBS)-2005.
Thirty-Seven patients(92.5%) have a waist
circumference more than 80 cm.
Thirty-two patients(80%) have secondary amenorrhea.
Hirsuitism and increased BMI(body mass index) were
present in 33 patients(82.5%)
The mean C-peptide level was higher in those patients
who had impaired GTT(11 patients),meaning that
GTT can be used to detect insulin resistance specially
in Labs. where measurements of insulin levels are not
available.
Conclusions :
1. Metabolic syndrome is present in 50% of our
patients,using the IDF Consensus Definition of
the metabolic syndrome-2005.
2. Glucose tolerance test can be used to detect the
presence of insulin resistance specially in Labs.
where measurements of insulin levels are not
available.
3. Insulin resistance is present in 27.5% in women
with PCOS who were included in our study.