How Significant are Insulin Resistance Parameters in Subjects with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ? A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate insulin resistance by “Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR)” and related cardiovascular disease risks in females with or without polycystic ovarian syndrome. Study Design Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Navy Ship Hafeez Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jan 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Patients diagnosed to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (n=158) as per Rotterdam criteria were compared with non-PCOS patients (n=162) for HOMA IR and other CVD risks. Measurement of glucose, insulin, lipid parameters and HbA1c for all subjects was carried out in fasting. PCOS was diagnosed by “Rotterdam Criteria”. Free Androgen Index was measured as FAI=(Total testosterone/SHBG) x100. Differences in insulin resistance among polycystic ovarian syndrome and non-polycystic ovarian syndrome females were measured by the non-parametric test. Results: Our study included 158 females (49.38%) with PCOS defined as per Rotterdam criteria, while 162 subjects did not have PCOS (50.62%). The differences between PCOS and non-PCOS were LH: 5.15±3.66 vs. 4.58±2.87 IU/L (p=0.121), FSH: 5.87±3.57 vs. 7.26±4.63 IU/L (0.003), total testosterone: 1.76±0.86 vs. 1.17±0.45 nmol/L (