Association between Steroid Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are more prone to adverse outcomes, including hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. This study examined the potential link between abnormal steroid hormone levels and insulin resistance (IR) in reproductive-aged women with PCOS.
 Methods: This study involved 61 participants: a case group of 33 patients with confirmed PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria and a control group of 28 healthy individuals without PCOS. Steroid hormone levels, IR indices, metabolic markers, and demographic characteristics of participants were measured.
 Results: The results showed significant differences in testosterone (P=0.018), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (P=0.009), and androstenedione (P=0.002) levels between the two groups. Insulin levels and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the patients (P=0.034 and 0.025, respectively). Significant correlations were found between androstenedione and insulin (P=0.021), fasting blood sugar, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels (P=0.001), as well as between DHT level and IR indices (P=0.03). Additionally, patients with PCOS had higher diastolic blood pressure and lower levels of T4.
 Conclusion: The findings of this study showed higher androgen levels in PCOS patients and a significant correlation between DHT and androstenedione levels with IR indices in PCOS patients, which establishes a remarkable connection between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in PCOS.