The lack of association between polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome: Iranian PCOS prevalence study

Objective This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR) in a large population‐based study in Iran. Research design and methods Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and IR were compared between 136 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) subjects and 423 healthy controls recruited from among 1126 reproductive aged women (18–45 year). PCOS and MetS were diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria and Joint Interim Statement, respectively. IR was defined using the homeostatic model assessment‐IR). Results Among the PCOS subjects, the mean ± SD age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were 31 ± 7·7 years, 26·4 ± 5·8 kg/m² and 84 ± 13·3 cm, respectively; corresponding values among healthy controls were 36 ± 7·5 years, 26·4 ± 5·0 kg/m² and 85 ± 11·9 cm, respectively. Age and BMI adjusted prevalences of MetS in PCOS subjects and controls were 18·5% (CI 95%, 15·3–21·7%) and 18·3% (CI 95%, 15·1–21·5%), respectively [P = not significant (NS)]. Age and BMI adjusted prevalences of IR in PCOS and healthy controls were 27·2% (CI 95%, 23·5–30·9%) and 24·2% (CI 95%, 20·6–27·8%), respectively (P < 0·01). Conclusions Metabolic syndrome was no more frequent in a representative sample of PCOS Iranian population than in healthy controls. However, the prevalence of IR in PCOS appears to be higher than in controls. It seems that the association between PCOS and MetS needs more consideration.