Abstract

Aim: The goal of this study was to see if there were any links between abdominal fat distribution and insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: 350 women were included in a cross-sectional study that comprised a complete clinical examination, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk scores. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were all tested biochemically. Insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk score were the primary outcomes of interest.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 25.77 years. Oligoovulation was present in 99% of the women. Eighty-two (23.43%, 95% CI: 19.21%, 28.08%) women were obese and 100 (28.57%, 95% CI: 24.02%, 33.47%) women had android obesity. Insulin resistance waspresent in 136 (38.86%, 95% CI: 33.85%, 44.05%) women and 107 (30.57%, 95% CI: 25.91%, 35.55%) women had a cardiovascular risk >1. Women with a waist-hip ratio >0.85 were more likely to have insulin resistance (OR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.68, 4.35, p < 0.001) and at increased risk for cardiovascular events (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.97, p = 0.02). Obese women were more likely to have insulin resistance (OR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.53, 4.19, p < 0.001) and at increased risk for cardiovascular events (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.63, p = 0.003).
Conclusion: The long-term health risks of PCOS must be recognised, as they can be mitigated to some extent by early detection and therapies, such as modifying the individual's lifestyle