The impact of insulin resistance on the outcome of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR), which is common in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), may adversely affect the outcome of ovulation induction due to its detrimental effect on ovarian function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of IR on the outcome of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD). Prospective observational study. Tertiary fertility centre. Forty-four anovulatory women with PCOS undergoing LOD. Fasting serum concentrations of insulin and glucose were measured before and after LOD. Insulin sensitivity was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Values of HOMA index ≥2.1 were considered abnormal, indicating IR. Ovulation and pregnancy rates were compared between women with and without IR using χ(2) test and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Eighteen women (41%) had elevated HOMA index (≥2.1). There was no change of HOMA index after LOD (median 1.89, range 0.53-8.48 vs. 1.92, range 0.53-8.46). The ovulation rate in women with IR (12 of 18, 67%) was significantly (p=0.013, OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.74) lower than that (25 of 26, 96%) of women without IR. Likewise, the pregnancy rate (six of 18, 33%) was significantly (p=0.037, OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.07-0.94) lower in women with IR than that of women without IR (17 of 26, 65%). Using a receiver operating characteristics curve, the HOMA index was useful in predicting no ovulation after LOD (area under the curve 0.826). Insulin resistance appears to have an adverse effect on the outcome of LOD and seems to be a useful prognostic factor.