Hyderabad: Urban researchers have found that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are prone to diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. They also noted that there is a strong alliance of PCOS with insulin resistance in Telangana. It is the first study in Telangana to investigate the link between PCOS and diabetes.
“Our study indicated a strong association between PCOS and hyperinsulinemia (higher levels of insulin in the blood) and impaired glucose tolerance in Telangana. Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance are common in women with PCOS. It is associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (type II diabetes) in the general population. For those with a known family history, lifestyle changes should be made promptly and early, ”said the corresponding author Dr.
The study, published in the latest issue of the medical journal Gynecology and Women’s Health Research, found general glucose intolerance abnormalities in 35% of patients and 10% of controls. This shows a significant difference. Insulin resistance plays a very important role in the pathophysiology of both type 2 diabetes mellitus and PCOS.
“Although many women with PCOS are at high risk of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, the exact cause of an increase in insulin levels is not yet known, but it could be due to increased phosphorylation of the insulin receptors. This reduces the activity of protein (tyrosine kinase ) resulting in an abnormality in insulin secretion, ”said Dr. Roya, who is also a member of the Secretary of the Maternal Health and Research Trust (MHRT), told TOI.
Dr. Roya said the study was conducted on a relatively young population who suffer from PCOS and who have mostly low body mass index (BMI). The average age of the subjects was 24.08 years.
The study showed significant results for fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and the presence of approximately eight subcapsular follicular cysts when probable PCOS were compared to healthy controls.
The prevalence of hyperinsulinemia was 31% in probable PCOS and 8.3% in controls, while the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 35% in probable PCOS and 10% in controls.
