The frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome in women with prediabetes compared with normoglycemic women.

OBJECTIVE

To determine rate of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its related features in women with prediabetes.

METHODS

Of 3465 consecutive women applied between 2021 and 2023, 3218 women with diabetes mellitus or conditions affecting gonadal functions were excluded through digital screening and tele-interviews. Remaining 247 women underwent clinical assessments, excluding another 49 due to other endocrine diseases. The diagnosis of PCOS and prediabetes were based on Rotterdam and American Diabetes Association criteria, respectively.

RESULTS

100 women had prediabetes and 98 women had normoglycemia. The frequency of PCOS were 17% and 19.4% in prediabetes and control groups, respectively (p=0.715). The frequency of PCOS was 24% (6/25) in women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) only, 22.2% (2/9) in women with impaired fasting glucose only, and 15.5% (9/58) in women who met the HbA1C criterion only. Prediabetes group had higher insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and lower anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels (p<0.05). Insulin was correlated with testosterone, antral follicle count, and ovarian volume only in prediabetes group (p<0.05). Mediation models showed that insulin increased testosterone both directly and indirectly through increasing IGF-1 (b=0.4, p=0.0006).

CONCLUSION

While the rate of PCOS was not increased in overall prediabetes group, a trend for an increased risk in IGT subgroup only was noteworthy. Positive correlation of insulin with testosterone, antral follicle count, and ovarian volume being only found in prediabetes group suggested that prediabetes might render ovaries susceptible to the PCOS-like changes. The lower AMH in prediabetes implied the toxic effects of even mild hyperglycemia on ovaries.