ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC FEATURES IN PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Objective. To specify the diagnostic criteria and endocrine and metabolic disturbances, which are characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Subjects and methods. A single-stage direct prospective study was conducted. A study group comprised 98 patients with PCOS, whose mean age was 27.7±4.2 years; a control group included 62 patients without PCOS, whose mean age was 28.4±3.2 years. Conventional clinical anamnestic, hormonal, echographic, and biochemical studies were performed. Results. Anovulation, menstrual irregularities, and ultrasound signs of polycystic ovaries were absolute symptoms of PCOS. More than half of the patients with PCOS had higher luteinizing hormone levels and biochemical hyperandogenism. Obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia are not pathognomonic signs of PCOS. Overweight is of basic value in developing metabolic disturbances; and impaired carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms worsened in the presence of endocrine changes that are characteristic of PCOS. Conclusion. Routine general clinical examinations and conventional laboratory tests have demonstrated no direct associations of PCOS with metabolic disturbances. In this connection, an attempt to reveal any genetic markers predisposing to the development of both the very PCOS and its clinical symptoms is promising.

polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic disturbances