title: Pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome: what is the role of obesity?
abstract: Both obesity and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are commonly seen in women of reproductive age. Fifty percent of all patients with PCOS are obese, and the presence of obesity affects the clinical manifestations of PCOS. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms appear to involve insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, the magnitude of which is greater in obese than in non-obese women with PCOS. Specific effects of obesity on the manifestations of PCOS, underlying mechanisms of the interactions between obesity and PCOS, and therapeutic implications of these interactions are discussed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Cewnter, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bravo-Vera
authors.forename: Arsalan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gouller
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poretsky
mesh_terms: D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000150:complications; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones