Prevalence and clinical profile of insulin resistance in young women of poly cystic ovary syndrome: A study from Pakistan

Objective: The aim was to estimate the prevalence of Insulin Resistance (IR) in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and analyze its clinical parameters.

Methodology: This observational study was conducted at Dow University Hospital during June 2011 till May 2012. Patients of PCOS were selected, an anthropometric measurement, examination and fasting blood test for sugar (FBS) and insulin was performed. Data was collected on pre designed questionnaire, was analyzed by SPSS version 16.

Results: Forty-six cases of PCOS were included in the study. Prevalence of IR was 34.78%. Mean age of patients was 23.72 ± 4.37 years. Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) was raised in 42 (91.30%), acanthosis was found in 26(56.50%), impaired FBS was seen in 9 (19.6%) and raised fasting insulin in 16 (34.8%) patients. There was significant association between acanthosis and WHR (0.044) and between acanthosis and FBS (0.008). Correlation studies between parameters showed a significant correlation between Waist & Hips (0.93), similarly Waist & WHR showed positive correlation (0.59), at p < 0.01. Significant positive correlation was also found between waist and FBS (0.32) and FBS & WHR (0.378).

Conclusion: Acanthosis nigrican, raised WHR and FBS are significant parameters for insulin resistance in cases of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).