Polycystic ovarian syndrome and hyperinsulinaemia

ABSTRACT

To determine the occurrence of hyperinsulinaemia in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS]. A descriptive study. Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad from January 2002 to December 2003. Total 64 subjects were recruited from gynaecological outpatients department, between the ages of 15 and 40 years with clinical diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome, presenting with weight gain, oligomenorrhoea, secondary amenorrhoea, hirsuitism or infertility and either ultrasound evidence of PCOS or raised Leutinizing Hormone [LH]/ Follicular Stimulating Hormone [FSH] ratio. Patient's venous blood was checked for fasting serum insulin. Out of total 64 women selected, 37[57.81%] were between 21 - 30 years of age. Weight gain was the commonest presenting complain [84.37%] followed by oligomenorrhoea [79.68%]. Infertility was found in 46 women [71.87%] and hyperandrogenism was observed in 43 women [62.49%]. Thirty-nine women [60.93%] had ultrasound evidence of PCOS and 43 [67.18%] had LH / FSH ratio greater than 21. Hyperinsulinaemia was seen in 27 [42.19%] women. In this study, 27 women [42.19%] had hyperinsulinaemia which indicates significant insulin resistance. Thus, all the patients presenting with clinical or biochemical evidence of PCOS must undergo checking of fasting serum insulin levels