Association of serum leptin with anthropometric indices of obesity, blood lipids, steroidal hormones, and insulin resistance in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a major form of anovulatory infertility in women. It is often associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR), both of which are linked to leptin and its receptors. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between serum leptin level with anthropometric indices of obesity, lipid profile, IR, and with circulating steroidal hormones in PCOS women. Settings and Design: An observational case-control study was conducted in a medical college and hospital setting. Methods: Ninety diagnosed cases of PCOS along with ninety age-matched normal women were enrolled. Serum insulin, lipid profile, steroidal hormones, and serum leptin were estimated. IR was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment-IR. Anthropometric measurements were also taken of each study participant. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics along with independent sample t-test and Pearson (r) correlation coefficients were used. Results: Women with PCOS had high mean value of waist circumference (P = 0.00), hip circumference (P = 0.00), and hormonal levels than the control group (luteinizing hormone [LH] [P = 0.00], testosterone [P = 0.00], LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio [P = 0.00], leptin [P = 0.00], and IR [P = 0.00]). Serum insulin levels (P = 0.02), IR (P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03), and fasting blood sugar (P = 0.01) had a positive correlation with leptin. Insulin (P = 0.01), IR (P = 0.02), fasting blood sugar (P = 0.001), and leptin (P = 0.00) were more in the obese control group. Conclusion: Serum leptin level is raised in PCOS patients, and it is correlated positively with BMI, fasting blood sugar, insulin metabolism, and IR.