International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review

Aims: To evaluate Insulin resistance in patients with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). To determine if HOMA & G:I can be used as a simple marker to identify PCOS patients at risk for IGT & Type II DM.

Study Design: This was a hospital based, cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Gynaecology & Obstetrics department, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru. It was done over a period of 6 months from February 2015 to July 2015.

Methodology: The study was conducted with 85 women, 45 PCOS cases (USG diagnosed) and 40 controls (with regular menstrual cycle) in the age group of 20-40 years. Insulin resistance indices namely, Fasting Insulin, Glucose insulin ratio (G:I) and Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) were calculated from the values of Fasting blood sugar and fasting Insulin estimated by Chemiluminiscence immunoassay. Cases and control were further subdivided based on age as Group I (20-30 yrs) and Group II (31-40 yrs).

Results: Fasting blood sugar, Fasting insulin, G:I and HOMA were significantly higher (P = 0.0137, 0.0018, 0.0475 and 0.0047 respectively) in cases than in controls. There was no significant difference between cases and control with respect to age, BMI and waist circumference (P = 0.7342, 0.3538 and 0.4841 respectively). When the cases were subdivided, BMI was significantly high (P 0.0001) in Group II as compared to Group I. IR markers like Fasting insulin and HOMA were higher in Group I compared to Group II but not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Fasting Insulin, HOMA & G:I can be used as simple, practical and effective marker to identify PCOS patients who are at risk of Type II DM. The data suggests that patients having Fasting Insulin > 20 IU, HOMA >2.5 & G:I < 4.5 should be closely monitored & considered as high risk for Type II DM.