TLDR South Asian women with PCOS are more likely to have metabolic issues and central obesity, and simple measures like waist size and blood pressure can help identify these risks early.
The 2010 study examined 469 South Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compared them to 231 controls, finding that PCOS was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), central obesity, and other metabolic abnormalities. Specifically, 30.6% of the PCOS patients had MetS, and the condition was significantly associated with factors such as age ≥35 years, acanthosis nigricans (AN), and a BMI ≥25 kg/m². The study also noted that central obesity was more indicative of metabolic risk in this population than overall BMI. Despite the high prevalence of metabolic issues, hyperandrogenism was not a significant predictor of MetS in this group, which is a contrast to findings in other ethnic populations. The research suggests using waist circumference, blood pressure, and AN evaluation as simple tools for early identification of metabolic risks in young South Asian women with PCOS, particularly in areas with limited resources.
926 citations,
June 2010 in “BMC Medicine” Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex condition that affects women's mental, reproductive, and metabolic health throughout their lives.
52 citations,
November 2009 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics” High androgen levels in Chinese women with PCOS are linked to a higher risk of diabetes and obesity.
120 citations,
June 2008 in “American Journal of Epidemiology” A simple screening method found that 6.3% of women in a semiurban area in Sri Lanka have polycystic ovary syndrome, with most showing menstrual irregularities.
232 citations,
December 2005 in “Andrology” PCOS is caused by both genetics and environmental factors like diet and obesity.
4809 citations,
January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and highlighted increased risks of diabetes and heart disease for those affected.
298 citations,
July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” About 6.5% of young Caucasian women in Spain have polycystic ovary syndrome.
1 citations,
May 2009 in “Wiley-Blackwell eBooks” Early treatment of PCOS in teens is crucial to prevent long-term health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
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.
32 citations,
April 2016 in “Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research” Women with severe types of PCOS are more likely to have metabolic syndrome, and belly fat is a key predictor of this risk.
1 citations,
January 2017 in “Journal of rare disease research & treatment” Obesity is common in PCOS patients and early treatment is important for their heart and metabolic health.
14 citations,
September 2017 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Skin diseases linked to insulin resistance should be managed to prevent diabetes and reduce heart disease risk.
