title: Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is related to the severity of anovulation and other clinical features in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The clinical phenotype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) includes reproductive and hormonal aberrations. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is an indicator which could connect hyperandrogenism and anovulation. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between VAI, menstrual disorders and hormonal, biochemical and ultrasound parameters in women with PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ninety-three women with PCOS diagnosed with Rotterdam criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We correlated VAI with metabolic and clinical features of the syndrome and with indices of inflammation and insulin sensitivity. In addition, we classified the patients into four groups according to the severity of menstrual disorders: Group A (n = 42), with severe menstrual disorders, Group B (n = 83), with mild menstrual disorders, Group C (n = 58), without menstrual disorders and Group D (n = 10) with women with sychnominorroia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In women with PCOS studied, VAI significantly positively correlated with body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score, white blood cells, platelets, uric acid, free testosterone, oestradiol, total cholesterol, γ-GT, SGPT. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation between VAI and SHBG, Matsuda index and menstrual cycles per year was documented. From the comparison of the four groups, PCOS women with menstrual disorders had significantly higher VAI and HOMA indices when compared to PCOS without menstrual disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visceral adiposity index is increased in patients with PCOS in concordance with the severity of anovulation, insulin resistance and inflammation. This index could be a very easy and helpful clinical tool in daily practice to predict insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Androulakis
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kandaraki
authors.forename: Charikleia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christakou
authors.forename: Athansios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karachalios
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marinakis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paterakis
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamanti-Kandarakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin