Glucose intolerance in a large cohort of mediterranean women with polycystic ovary syndrome: phenotype and associated factors.
The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic parameters and associated factors characterizing the development of glucose intolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Among the 121 PCOS female subjects from the Mediterranean region, 15.7 and 2.5% displayed impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, respectively. These subjects were included in a single group of overweight or obese subjects presenting with glucose intolerance (GI) states. PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance (81.8%) were subdivided into two groups: those who were overweight or obese and those of normal weight. Metabolic and hormonal characteristics of the GI group included significantly higher fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin levels, more severe insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, and significantly higher cortisol and androstenedione responses to 1-24 ACTH stimulation. One important finding was that lower birth weight and earlier age of menarche were associated with GI in PCOS women. Frequency of hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, acne, and acanthosis nigricans did not characterize women with GI. Our findings indicate that PCOS patients with GI represent a subgroup with specific clinical and hormonal characteristics. Our observations may have an important impact in preventative and therapeutic strategies.
U.O. di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Policlinico Sant' Orsola-Malpighi, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Gambineri
Carla
C
Pelusi
Elisa
E
Manicardi
Valentina
V
Vicennati
Mauro
M
Cacciari
Antonio Maria
AM
Morselli-Labate
Uberto
U
Pagotto
Renato
R
Pasquali
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003366:Cosyntropin; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005192:Family Health; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity; D010641:Phenotype; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000735:Androstenedione; D006854:Hydrocortisone