Clinical and biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome in Korean women.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the differences in anthropometrical, hormonal and insulin resistance parameters according to the subtype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Korean women.


METHODS
We recruited 166 women with PCOS and retrospectively recruited 277 controls. PCOS was diagnosed by irregular menstruation (IM), polycystic ovary (PCO) and hyperandrogenism (HA). Subjects were divided into four subgroups: the IM/HA/PCO group (n = 87, 52.4%), the IM/PCO group (n = 52, 31.3%), the IM/HA group (n = 23, 13.9%) and the HA/PCO group (n = 4, 2.4%). Clinical and biochemical variables were compared among the PCOS subgroups.


RESULTS
The IM/HA/PCO and IM/HA groups showed higher body mass index (P < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (P < 0.001) than the IM/PCO group. The IM/HA group had higher triglyceride levels than the other groups (P < 0.001). Higher fasting insulin (P < 0.001) and postprandial 2 h insulin (P < 0.01) were noted in the IM/HA/PCO group and the IM/HA group, compared with the IM/PCO group. Women with PCOS showed lower sex hormone-binding globulin (P < 0.001) and higher systolic blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.004), diastolic BP (P = 0.001), fasting insulin (P < 0.001), postprandial 2 h insulin (P < 0.001), homeostatic model for insulin resistance (P < 0.001) and clinical and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05) compared with subjects without PCOS.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with PCOS without HA are common in Korea and are less likely to have metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance and elevated BP. PCOS without HA may be a mild phenotype of PCOS. Therefore, women with PCOS in Korea could have a reduced likelihood of having metabolic syndrome compared with women of other ethnicities.
Chae
Soo Jin
SJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yungun-dong, Chongno-ku, Seoul 110-744, South Korea.
Kim
Jin Ju
JJ
Choi
Young Min
YM
Hwang
Kyu Ri
KR
Jee
Byung Chul
BC
Ku
Seung Yup
SY
Suh
Chang Suk
CS
Kim
Seok Hyun
SH
Kim
Jung Gu
JG
Moon
Shin Yong
SY
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone