Obesity was stronger predictor of metabolic syndrome than PCOS status

Adolescent girls with obesity had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome did not add additional risk for metabolic syndrome.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the prevalence and related characteristics of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents with PCOS (n=43) and without PCOS (n=31).

The group with PCOS had larger ovarian volume and higher measures of total testosterone and free androgen index than the group without PCOS. However, researchers found no differences in waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood pressure or lipids. The PCOS group had more glucose abnormalities and higher plasminogen activator inhibitor 1.

Metabolic syndrome was present in 53% of the group with PCOS and in 55% of the group without PCOS by pediatric criteria. Metabolic syndrome was present in 26% of the group with PCOS and in 29% of the group without PCOS by adult criteria, according to the researchers. They also found an association between metabolic syndrome and visceral adiposity.

“Our results reinforce the importance of obesity counseling in adolescents to recognize the possible risk for future cardiovascular disease in these young women,” the researchers wrote.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:4780-4786.