Adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome showing different phenotypes have a different metabolic profile associated with increasing androgen levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the metabolic profiles of adolescents with different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
University outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Adolescents with PCOS (n = 120) were divided into four groups: oligomenorrhea and hirsutism (O-H, n = 50), oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, and polycystic ovaries (PCO-O-H, n = 22), oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, and hyperandrogenemia (A-O-H, n = 28), oligomenorrhea, and hirsutism, hyperandrogenemia, and polycystic ovaries (PCO-A-O-H, n = 20). A control group of age-matched adolescents (n = 30) was included.


METHODS
Subjects underwent physical and ultrasound evaluations; fasting blood samples were taken for the measurement of endocrine and metabolic parameters.


METHODS
The endocrine and metabolic profiles were evaluated.


RESULTS
Adolescents with PCOS showed reduced insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia. Triglycerides, and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in the phenotypes with hyperandrogenemia. Insulin resistance and body mass index were not significantly different between PCOS phenotypes. Triglyceride positively and high-density lipoportein cholesterol levels negatively correlated with free testosterone and free androgen index.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of metabolic alterations may vary in adolescent PCOS patients with different phenotypes. Hyperandrogenemia is a risk factor for dyslipidemia. This information may be of relevance in counseling adolescents with PCOS.
Fruzzetti
Franca
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. ffruzzi@tin.it
Perini
Daria
D
Lazzarini
Veronica
V
Parrini
Donatella
D
Genazzani
Andrea R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult
D000728:Androgens; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin