TLDR Obese Hispanic women with PCOS are at higher risk for metabolic problems than non-Hispanic white women.
The study concluded that obese Hispanic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher risk of metabolic disorders compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, despite having similar age and BMI. The cross-sectional observational study involved 60 women with PCOS, including 17 Hispanic, 22 non-Hispanic black, and 21 non-Hispanic white women. Hispanic women exhibited a higher waist-to-hip ratio, greater insulin resistance, and more atherogenic lipid profiles. Notably, after adjusting for waist-to-hip ratio, some differences became non-significant, but Hispanic women still had higher low-density lipoprotein particle numbers and smaller high-density lipoprotein sizes. These findings suggest the need for focused management of metabolic parameters in Hispanic women with PCOS, although the study's small sample size and its focus on obese women limit the generalizability of the results. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and there were no conflicts of interest reported by the authors.
162 citations,
January 2015 in “Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS face higher risks of diabetes and heart disease, and these risks increase with obesity.
28 citations,
February 2011 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Women with PCOS have unhealthy changes in their cholesterol particles that are not related to their body weight.
270 citations,
April 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS often have more belly fat and higher insulin levels, but belly fat isn't the only cause of their insulin resistance.
May 2006 in “Women's Health Medicine” Excessive hair growth in women, often from high androgen levels, is usually caused by PCOS, and can be treated with hair removal, medication, and possibly weight loss.
1514 citations,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
26 citations,
January 2016 in “Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism” Both metformin and pioglitazone improve PCOS symptoms, but pioglitazone is a good alternative for those who can't take metformin.
162 citations,
January 2015 in “Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS face higher risks of diabetes and heart disease, and these risks increase with obesity.
222 citations,
January 2014 in “International journal of reproductive medicine” Insulin resistance and obesity are key factors in the development and worsening of polycystic ovary syndrome, and lifestyle changes are important for managing it.
