Issue: November 2015
October 06, 2015
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Weight loss improves glycemic profile in women at higher risk for PCOS

Issue: November 2015
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Women with prior gestational diabetes at a higher genetic risk for developing polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to improve their glycemic profile with weight loss vs. women at a lower genetic risk for polycystic ovary syndrome, according to research in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

In a large longitudinal study of Chinese women with a history of gestational diabetes, researchers found that a genetic predisposition to PCOS might affect postpartum change in glycemia, and postpartum weight loss significantly interacted with genetic factors on changes in glycemic profile.

“Intriguingly, we found that the gene-postpartum weight reduction interactions were bidirectional,” Tiange Wang, MD, of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans, and colleagues wrote. “The relation between postpartum weight reduction and glycemic traits also significantly differed according to the levels of genetic risk score.”

Wang and colleagues analyzed data from 1,133 women with prior gestational diabetes diagnosed between 2005 and 2009 who participated in the Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program, a study assessing whether lifestyle intervention can reduce type 2 diabetes risk. Women were recruited between 1 and 5 years postpartum. Researchers measured body weight, height and BMI at baseline and recorded annual weight reduction. Blood samples were collected to measure glycemic profile, and researchers selected seven single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with PCOS for genotyping.

Researchers found that the PCOS genetic risk score interacted with weight reduction on changes in fasting glucose (P = .032) and 2-hour glucose (P = .007). In women who lost 5 kg or more per year, the genetic risk score was associated with decreased fasting and 2-hour glucose levels.

Researchers found that women with a higher genetic risk score also had a more significant association between postpartum weight reduction and glycemic improvement. – by Regina Schaffer

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.