ABSTRACT
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To determine the magnitude of risk of developing T2DM among women with PCOS, development of T2DM was prospectively assessed among women who had T2DM (n = 97) and controls (n = 95) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling. The women with T2DM had higher baseline weight (body mass index, P < 0.01) and lower insulin sensitivity (homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance, P < 0.01). The 8-year incidence rate among cases and controls was 13.4% and 5.8%, respectively (relative risk = 2.3). Obese cases had a fivefold risk of T2DM developing (P < 0.01) compared with age-adjusted obese controls, indicating significant interaction between PCOS and obesity to effect T2DM risk.