How much insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome? Comparison of HOMA-IR and insulin resistance (Belfiore) index models

Abstract

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the commonest endocrinopathy of women in reproductive age, is often accompanied by insulin resistance (IR), hirsutism and/or fertility problems. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of IR in women diagnosed with PCOS. Material and methods The study involved 137 women diagnosed with PCOS, according to the Rotterdam consensus criteria (2003). Insulin resistance was assessed according to the HOMA-IR method and insulin resistance (Belfiore) index (IRI) derived from glucose and insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test. Results There was a significant ( p < 0.0001) but relatively moderate correlation between IRI and HOMA-IR ( r = 0.5 and r = 0.57 for a linear and non-linear model, respectively). Insulin resistance was more prevalent according to IRI (49.6%) than according to HOMA-IR (22.6% and 15.8% for 3.46 and 3.8 cut-off points, respectively, p < 0.01). The majority of patients with high HOMA-IR also had high IRI (e.g. 86%, for HOMA > 3.8), but the majority of patients with raised IRI would not be diagnosed as insulin resistant according to HOMA (61.7% and 73.5%, for HOMA-IR 3.46 and HOMA-IR 3.80 , respectively). Conclusions The insulin resistance (Belfiore) index indicates more cases of insulin resistance than HOMA-IR in women with PCOS. Therefore, detection of insulin resistance among women with PCOS is highly method-dependent with more severe cases being detected with HOMA-IR than with IRI.

The effect of clomiphene citrate, herbal mixture, and herbal mixture along with clomiphene citrate on clinical and para-clinical parameters in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Recent research has confirmed that vitamin D 3 supplementation has a beneficial effect on HOMA-IR and dyslipidemia [59]. Furthermore, in one of the latest studies comparing the HOMA-IR method and insulin resistance (Belfiore) index, it was concluded that insulin resistance (Belfiore) index diagnosed more cases of insulin resistance in women with PCOS compared to HOMA-IR [60]).…”

Metabolomic Insight into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—An Overview

“…IR plays a key role in the pathophysiology of PCOS and is associated with ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. Some mechanisms of IR in women with PCOS are connected to an excessive activity of 17 α-hydroxylase, which regulates the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone into androstenedione, excessive stimulation of IGF-I receptors, and diminished synthesis of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGF-BP1) [52].…”

[Retracted] Predicting Risk of Insulin Resistance in a Chinese Population with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Designing and Testing a New Predictive Nomogram

“…Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by hyperandrogenemia and hyperinsulinemia [2]. Although insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are not the diagnostic criteria of PCOS, about 75% of PCOS women have the endocrine characteristics of insulin resistance [3].…”