title: Adrenal androgen excess and body mass index in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adrenal hyperandrogenism affects approximately 25% of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients but its relation to obesity is not totally understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in relation to body mass index (BMI) in PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational study at an institutional practice at an obstetrics/gynecology hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 136 PCOS patients, 20-35 years old, and 42 age-matched control women. The participants were classified with the BMI cutoff value of 27 kg/m(2) as follows: 1) high-BMI PCOS patients; 2) low-BMI PCOS patients; 3) high-BMI control women; and 4) low-BMI control women. The data were reanalyzed with the BMI cutoff value of 30 kg/m(2) to corroborate the findings in obese and nonobese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were taken and LH, FSH, insulin, T, androstenedione (A4), DHEA, DHEAS, and glucose levels were determined. Homeostatic model assessment was calculated. Pelvic and abdominal ultrasound for ovarian morphology and adipose tissue, respectively, were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obese PCOS patients presented significantly more insulin resistance than nonobese PCOS patients. The LH levels and LH/FSH ratio were significantly higher in low-BMI than in high-BMI PCOS patients. The A4 and DHEAS levels were significantly higher in nonobese than in obese PCOS patients. A significant correlation between LH and A4 in nonobese PCOS patients was observed. The frequency of hyperandrogenism by increased A4, and DHEA along with DHEAS was significantly higher in low-BMI PCOS patients compared with high-BMI PCOS patients. Some findings observed with the BMI cutoff value of 27 kg/m(2) changed with the cutoff value of 30 kg/m(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low BMI more so than high BMI is associated with increased LH, high A4, DHEA, and DHEAS levels in PCOS patients. The BMI cutoff value of 27 kg/m(2) classified better than 30 kg/m(2) for hormonal and metabolic characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Reproductive Medicine (C.M., F.A.-V.), Health Research Council, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico; Medical Unit of High Specialty (M.A.), Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico; and Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology (S.M.), Health Research Council, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arriaga
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arechavaleta-Velasco
authors.forename: Segundo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007328:Insulin