Observation of Phenotypic Variation Among Indian Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) From Delhi and Srinagar

The study from 2016 compared 299 Indian women, including 210 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 89 healthy controls, from Delhi and Srinagar. It found significant phenotypic differences between the two groups. Women with PCOS from Delhi had higher body mass index (BMI), glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance, while those from Srinagar exhibited more severe hirsutism and higher serum testosterone levels. The study highlighted two distinct PCOS phenotypes: obese, hyperinsulinemic, dysglycemic women from Delhi and lean, hyperandrogenic women from Srinagar. The prevalence of glucose intolerance was 36% in Delhi and 10% in Srinagar. Insulin resistance was also higher in Delhi, as indicated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin sensitivity was lower, as shown by the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). The study concluded that regional differences in the clinical, biochemical, and hormonal parameters of PCOS within India may be due to genetic and environmental factors, and called for larger studies to further investigate these findings.