title: Insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: With a prevalence of 5%-10% the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an exceptionally common disorder of premenopausal women. According to prospective studies, women with PCOS present abnormal glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus in 31%-35% and 7.5%-10%, respectively. PCOS patients have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. The rate of spontaneous abortions as well as the risk to develop gestational or type 2 diabetes is increased in PCOS. Therefore, PCOS is not only a reproductive problem but a complex endocrine disease with important health implications. The role of the glucose metabolism in PCOS, the health consequences and possible interventions are reviewed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Annika K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tauchert
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ortmann
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diedrich
authors.forename: Jürgen M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents