Abstract
Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered a syndrome related to the metabolic syndrome with a high risk for developing diabetes mellitus. The evaluation of the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) seems to be an interesting tool to detect states of hyperglycemia that may be associated with this syndrome and to understand her pathophysiology. Aims: The purposes of this study are to determine the profile of HbA1c in Congolese women with PCOS, to determine the frequency of states of hyperglycemia and to assess the impact of this marker on clinical signs on this syndrome. Material and methods: This is a case-control study of 130 Congolese subfertile women; 65 with a diagnosis of PCOS and 65 others without PCOS. This is conducted from June 2016 to June 2019 among Congolese women of childbearing age. All these women were recruited at the subfertility outpatient clinic of the University Hospital of UNIKIN as well of the YANGA medical centers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Sickle cell disease was excluded as also the cases of anemia. HbA1c was assayed via the immunoturbidimetric method and the results interpreted according to the ADA recommendations with a pathological cut-off point ≥ 6.5%. Results: Mean hemoglobin was 11.6 ± 1.2 g/dl (11.5 ± 1.1 g/dl vs. 11.8 ± 1.4 g/dl, P = 0.568). The proportion of diabetics was 1.6% (1.6% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.74). Higher HbA1c values were noted in the PCOS group compared to the control group (7.3% ± 2.1% vs. 5.6% ± 0.6%, P 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation between elevated HbA1c levels and PCOS (OR 14.79 (CI 5.43 - 40.32), P 0.001). In the PCOS group, higher HbA1c values were significantly correlated with a higher socio-economic status (OR 3.38 (1.67 - 8.47), P = 0.018) and with obesity (OR 3.48 IC (1.31 - 7.13) P = 0.029). A perfect, positive and significant linear correlation was found between HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (r = 0.807). 60% of women in the PCOS group had pathological values of HbA1c (≥6.5%) co
Highlights
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy observed in women of childbearing age
A perfect, positive and significant linear correlation was found between HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (r = 0.807). 60% of women in the PCOS group had pathological values of HbA1c (≥6.5%) compared to 7.7% in the control group (P < 0.001)
The present study aims to determine the profile of HbA1c in Congolese women with PCOS versus healthy women, in order to assess the frequency of states of hyperglycemia that may be associated with this syndrome and to establish the relationship between this marker and the clinical expressions of this syndrome
Summary
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy observed in women of childbearing age. It affects about 3% to 22% of women worldwide and is one of the leading causes of subfertility by anovulation [1] [2]. Numerous studies have shown that hyperglycemic states, even apart from proven diabetes, would be a risk factor for the occurrence of this syndrome by complex mechanisms [3] [4] [5]. A high percentage of affected women have abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism [6]. Compared with a healthy woman, their risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the 30 years is markedly increased (2.3% vs 15%) [10]
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