Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism and subclinical inflammation. Visceral obesity is associated with proinflammatory activity, deterioration of insulin sensitivity, increased risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and higher mortality rate. We searched if the patients with PCOS have increased visceral adiposity index (VAI) and along with its relation to the measures of inflammation, insulin sensitivity and hyperandrogenism. Thirty-nine patients with PCOS and forty-two age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. VAI was calculated by the Formula [Waist Circumference / (36.58 + (1.88XBMI))] x (Triglyceride/0.81) x (1.52/HDL Cholesterol). High sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was determined by Enzyme immunoassay (EIA). IR was calculated by the Homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) formula. Plasma triglyceride, LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, insulin, hs-CRP levels, HOMA-IR score, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and VAI were significantly higher where as HDL-C level and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS compared to healthy controls. VAI correlated positively with BMI, hs-CRP, waist-to-hip ratio, HOMA-IR and negatively with SHBG. Testosterone and LH/FSH did not significantly correlated with VAI. VAI is increased in patients with PCOS in concordance with insulin resistance and inflammation. We found also relationship between hyperandrogenism and VAI in PCOS patients.
Keywords: Hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, visceral adiposity index
