Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Insulin resistance is a common feature of both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), therefore, we hypothesize that PCOS and NAFLD may coexist. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of NAFLD in women with PCOS.


METHODS
A prospective study of patients with PCOS and no current pharmacological treatment was conducted. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound following exclusion of alcohol consumption, viral, or autoimmune liver disease. Anthropometric variables, serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipids and aminotransferases, and HOMA index were determined.


RESULTS
Forty-one PCOS patients (mean age: 24.6+/-7.2yr, mean body mass index [BMI]: 30.3+/-7.0kg/m(2)) were included; 26 of 41 PCOS patients (63.4%) had insulin resistance and 17 (41.5%) had NAFLD. Nine of the NAFLD patients (64%) also had abnormal aminotransferases. Women with NAFLD and PCOS had a higher HOMA index and a higher waist-hip ratio than those with normal ultrasound. Patients with PCOS showed a higher frequency of NAFLD (41% vs. 19%) and insulin resistance (63% vs. 35.5%) than a control group.


CONCLUSIONS
NAFLD is frequent in patients with PCOS confirming a relevant clinical association between these two conditions. Women with PCOS should be screened for liver disease.
Cerda
Cristián
C
Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Pérez-Ayuso
Rosa María
RM
Riquelme
Arnoldo
A
Soza
Alejandro
A
Villaseca
Paulina
P
Sir-Petermann
Teresa
T
Espinoza
Manuel
M
Pizarro
Margarita
M
Solis
Nancy
N
Miquel
Juan Francisco
JF
Arrese
Marco
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D000637:Transaminases