Insulin secretion in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship with hyperandrogenism.

Insulin resistance has been reported to be associated with hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. To study the prevalence of insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and the correlation between hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism, 48 patients were divided into four groups: group 1, non-obese ovulatory women (n = 10); group 2, obese ovulatory women (n = 9); group 3, non-obese women with PCO (n = 14); group 4, obese women with PCO (n = 15). Each patient was submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Glucose, insulin, androstenedione and testosterone levels were determined and the blood glucose and insulin response of women with PCO and normal women were compared. Glucose intolerance was observed in group 3 (28.6%) and group 4 (40%) but not in groups 1 or 2, and hyperinsulinemia was observed in group 2 (66.7%), group 3 (64.3%) and group 4 (86.6%). There was a correlation between androstenedione and testosterone levels and insulinemia in group 4. There was also a high prevalence of insulin resistance in patients with PCO regardless of obesity, and hyperandrogenism-aggravated insulin resistance.