Different Glucose Variability in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With and Without Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age, and it is often associated with insulin resistance (IR). There is a lack of evidence about glucose profiles evaluated throughout continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in women with PCOS, especially according to the presence of IR.

METHODS

Women with PCOS ≥18 years old underwent CGM (Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott) for 14 days. IR was defined by homeostatic model assessment for IR >2 or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index <0.357. CGM metrics were compared between the 2 groups. Associations between hormonal assays and CGM metrics were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In 36 women with PCOS (median age 22 years [18-26] and body mass index 27.5 (6.6) kg/m2), time in range (70-180 mg/dL) and time in tight range (70-140 mg/dL) were comparable between women with and without IR (P > .05). Regardless of the score used to evaluate IR, women with IR presented a lower coefficient of variation (CV) compared with those without IR (using homeostatic model assessment for IR, CV non-IR 17.1 [12.0-19.8] versus IR 13.5 [11.2-15.5], P = .04; using quantitative insulin sensitivity check index non-IR 17.3 [11.2-19.9] versus IR 13.8 [10.9-15.7], P = .04). Follicle-stimulating hormone was also correlated with mean sensor glucose, time spent above 140 mg/dL, and glucose management indicator.

CONCLUSION

Women with PCOS presented overall good glucose control. No differences in time in range and time in tight range were detected, but women with IR presented a lower CV.