Shaista Hussain, Sobia Niaz, Shamila Ijaz Munir.
Serum Insulin Levels, Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;12(2):474-6.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder presenting with major clinical features of menstrual irregularities, sub-fertility, hyperandrogenism, and hirsutism. It is considered as the most common endocrinopathy, affecting 4-12% of women of reproductive age. Polycystic ovary contains 12 or more follicles of 2-9 mm diameter and /or comprising of volume more than (10cm 3). Polycystic ovarian syndrome is usually associated with metabolic disturbances called metabolic syndrome. Exploring pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome suggests insulin resistance as a key feature leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim: To determine and compare serum insulin levels, blood glucose level and HOMA-IR in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovaries. Methodology: In this comparative study, eighty eight females with polycystic ovaries within the age limit of 18-38 were divided into two equal groups, obese and non-obese females. Serum insulin was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and fasting blood group was determined by enzymatic calorimetric method. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was measured by using serum fasting glucose and insulin levels. These parameters were compared by appropriate statistical techniques using SPSS 20.0. Results: Obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome showed significantly higher fasting levels of serum insulin and insulin resistance as compared to non-obese women . Conclusions: Increased insulin resistance in obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome causes development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in these patients.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com