Characterization of Metabolic Changes in the Phenotypes of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Large Mediterranean Population from Sicily

In a retrospective study of 1,215 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) from Sicily, metabolic alterations were assessed across different PCOS phenotypes (A, B, C, and D). The study revealed that obesity was present in 31% of the participants, metabolic syndrome in 6.6%, diabetes in 2.1%, altered glucose metabolism in 13.1%, and abnormal lipid profile in 60%. Phenotype B exhibited the highest prevalence of metabolic issues, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, altered glucose metabolism, and lipid abnormalities. Phenotype A also showed significant metabolic disturbances, though less than phenotype B, while phenotype C had an intermediate level of metabolic disorders. Phenotype D was the least affected metabolically. The prevalence of diabetes, altered glucose metabolism, and metabolic syndrome was lower than in US studies. BMI was a predictor of fasting glucose and triglyceride abnormalities, but no association with androgens was found. The study suggests that factors beyond obesity, such as diet, genetics, and lifestyle, may influence metabolic changes in PCOS. The control group consisted of 108 women.