Comparison of glucolipid metabolic profile, thyroid hormone levels, and reproductive endocrine function in polycystic ovary syndrome patients with/without metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in glucose and lipid metabolism profiles, thyroid hormone levels, and reproductive endocrine function between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODS: This retrospective study included 160 PCOS patients treated in Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had MS: a PCOS group without MS (n=105) and a PCOS group with MS (n=55). Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The prevalence of MS in PCOS patients was 34.38%. Compared with the PCOS group, the PCOS+MS group exhibited significantly elevated levels of fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (all P<0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, or key reproductive hormones (testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone) between the groups (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: MS is common in PCOS patients and is associated with increased glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and elevated TSH, but not with changes in the reproductive endocrine profile. Early screening for MS in PCOS patients is recommended to facilitate timely management of metabolic and thyroid abnormalities.