Background: Frequent co-occurrence of obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) results in a synergistic negative impact on the clinical, biochemical, and metabolic status.
Objective: The study aimed to compare the clinical, metabolic, and endocrine parameters of the obese (BMI≥30 Kg/m2) to that of non-obese PCOS women (BMI<30).
Materials and Methods: Prospective observational comparative study conducted on two hundred and ten PCOS women between May 2023 and May 2024. The study aimed to compare the clinical, metabolic, and endocrine parameters of the obese (BMI≥30 Kg/m2) to that of non-obese PCOS women (BMI<30), Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) used to estimate insulin resistance.
Results: 97 (46.2%) were obese and 113 (53.8 %) were non-obese PCOS women. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of menstrual irregularity or clinical evidence of hyperandrogenism between the two groups of PCOS women. Whereas, the obese PCOS women had a significantly higher prevalence of insulin resistance (Fisher' Exact = 0.01) and fasting insulin level (p=0.028). The insulin resistance also was significantly higher in the obese PCOS women (HOMA-IR= 3& = 2.4 respectively and p= 0.01). Both groups were comparable with regard to FSH, estradiol, testosterone, DHEA, and AMH. Non-obese women have a significantly higher level of LH (p=0.04) than obese PCOS women. BMI had a significant positive correlation with HOMA-IR (p= 0.01) and a significant negative correlation with LH (p= 0.04).
Conclusion: Obese PCOS have a higher LH, insulin level, and higher insulin resistance than non-obese PCOS women and this adversely affects the reproductive and metabolic status. Therefore, targeting obesity in PCOS women will help to minimize these adverse outcomes.