Insulin resistance in women with hirsutism

Abstract

IntroductionThere are still not enough data showing whether patients with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) also have insulin resistance. The association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance is well documented in the literature, but the Rotterdam Consensus has concluded that principally obese women with PCOS should be screened for the metabolic syndrome. We intended to investigate the presence/absence of insulin resistance in non-obese women with hirsutism.Material and methodsTwenty-eight women with PCOS (14 non-obese and 14 obese), 12 non-obese with IH, and 16 non-obese healthy women were included in the study. The presence of insulin resistance was investigated by using basal insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score in the study group.ResultsPatients with obese and nonobese PCOS had significantly (p < 0.05) higher basal insulin levels and HOMA scores than IH and control subjects. Insulin levels and HOMA scores did not differ between obese and non-obese PCOS patients. Patients with IH did not show any difference from the control group.ConclusionsInsulin resistance exists in non-obese women with PCOS as well as obese women with PCOS. The PCOS is associated with insulin resistance independent of obesity. Insulin resistance should be assessed in all hirsute women with PCOS regardless of their body mass index. More studies in larger numbers of patients should be performed to investigate the role of insulin resistance in women with IH.

The lack ofassociationbetween idiopathic hirsutism and metabolic disturbances: Iranian PCOS Prevalence Study

“…Furthermore, Paoletti et al [19] documented that antiandrogen treatment improved hyper insulinemia in 11 women with IH. In agreement with our findings, Cebeci et al found no difference in insulin levels and HOMA between 11 nonobese women with IH and their controls [16]. Apart from the different diagnostic criteria for IH and IR used, these discrepancies could be attributed to genetic factors, lifestyle characteristics, and dietary habits.…”

“…It is not clear whether the peripheral increase of androgen activity in IH affects insulin metabolism [16][17][18] and, as a result, women with IH exhibit insulin resistance. There are limited number of studies with small sample size that report an increase in insulin resistance (IR) among women with IH [17,19,20]; however, the impact of IH on metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been documented.…”

Idiopathic Hirsutism and Insulin Resistance

“…For example, Cebeci concluded that insulin level and insulin-resistant state of women with HI and control groups did not show any differences. This might be due to the small number of women with HI [28]. …”

Assessment of the relationship between serum vitamin (A, B<SUB>12</SUB>, C, D, folate) and zinc levels and polycystic ovary syndrome

“…This syndrome is considered to be primarily a functional disorder of the ovary and many theories and mechanisms have been put forward on its causes to date [1]. The most popular theory of the pathophysiology of PCOS is insulin resistance [2]. Great progress has been made in this regard by molecular and clinical studies, but some questions still need answers.…”