Low sex hormone-binding globulin as a predictive marker for insulin resistance in women with hyperandrogenic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study is to assess insulin resistance (IR) in women with hyperandrogenic syndrome, which was suggested to replace the term polycystic ovary syndrome by the Androgen Excess Society, and to evaluate whether sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) can be used as a predictive marker of IR in hyperandrogenic women.


METHODS
Clinical, metabolic, and endocrine parameters were measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test was carried out. The women were classified as IR group or non-IR group, in accordance with defined cutoff points for the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) at > or =2.5, the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index at < or = 0.33, and the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) at < or = 5.


RESULTS
The women classified as having IR had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and free androgen index (FAI) and showed significantly lower SHBG and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, regardless of the indices used. However, with the Matsuda ISI, generally more women were diagnosed as having IR, and this group had significantly higher total testosterone and triglyceride values, as well as a higher incidence of hirsutism.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who were classified as being insulin resistant using insulin sensitivity indices showed significantly higher BMI and FAI values and lower SHBG and HDL levels. However, the Matsuda ISI may be more favorable for identifying IR in hyperandrogenic women. SHBG may serve as a predictive marker of IR in these women, particularly in those who are obese.
Kajaia
Natia
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Universitaetsstrasse 21-23, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Binder
Helge
H
Dittrich
Ralf
R
Oppelt
Patricia G
PG
Flor
Bianca
B
Cupisti
Susanne
S
Beckmann
Matthias W
MW
Mueller
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003940:Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin