title: The lack of association between polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome: Iranian PCOS prevalence study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR) in a large population-based study in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and IR were compared between 136 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) subjects and 423 healthy controls recruited from among 1126 reproductive aged women (18-45 year). PCOS and MetS were diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria and Joint Interim Statement, respectively. IR was defined using the homeostatic model assessment-IR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the PCOS subjects, the mean ± SD age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were 31 ± 7·7 years, 26·4 ± 5·8 kg/m(2) and 84 ± 13·3 cm, respectively; corresponding values among healthy controls were 36 ± 7·5 years, 26·4 ± 5·0 kg/m(2) and 85 ± 11·9 cm, respectively. Age and BMI adjusted prevalences of MetS in PCOS subjects and controls were 18·5% (CI 95%, 15·3-21·7%) and 18·3% (CI 95%, 15·1-21·5%), respectively [P = not significant (NS)]. Age and BMI adjusted prevalences of IR in PCOS and healthy controls were 27·2% (CI 95%, 23·5-30·9%) and 24·2% (CI 95%, 20·6-27·8%), respectively (P < 0·01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metabolic syndrome was no more frequent in a representative sample of PCOS Iranian population than in healthy controls. However, the prevalence of IR in PCOS appears to be higher than in controls. It seems that the association between PCOS and MetS needs more consideration.
authors: Obesity Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Farhad
authors: F
authors: Hosseinpanah
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Barzin
authors: Fahimeh R
authors: FR
authors: Tehrani
authors: Fereidoun
authors: F
authors: Azizi