Can we predict insulin resistance in polycystic ovarian syndrome?

This paper studied the relationship between visceral adiposity index and other factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause anovulation (no release of eggs from body leading to infertility), irregular menstruations, and hyperandrogenemia (elevation of hormone that stimulates male sexual characteristics). It is also associated with insulin resistance (increased sugar levels in the blood) and obesity.

It is thought that visceral adiposity index (measurement of fat distribution in the body) could be used to measure insulin resistance.  Since it is thought that insulin resistance contributes to hyperandrogenemia and anovulation, the relationship between visceral adiposity index and polycistic ovarian syndrome should be studied. 

193 women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome were studied. The women’s height and weight were measured to calculate the visceral adiposity index. Blood samples and plasma glucose (sugar) levels were taken so that insulin resistance could be calculated.  

Analysis of the data showed that an increased visceral adiposity index score was associated with an increase in body weight and glucose levels. A higher visceral adiposity index score was also strongly associated with increased insulin resistance. In addition, a higher visceral adiposity index score was strongly associated with higher testosterone (male sex hormone), and cholesterol levels. Moreover, an increase in the visceral adiposity index score was associated with a decrease in menstrual cycles per year.

Additionally, patients were studied based on the severity of their menstrual disorders. The results showed that the visceral adiposity index score increased  as the severity of menstrual disorders increased. Also, there was an increase in insulin resistance in patients who had less than 6 menstrual cycles a year.

55 patients had hepatic steatosis (accumulation of fat in liver). The visceral adiposity index was significantly higher in these patients compared to patients without hepatic steatosis.  

The authors concluded that visceral adiposity index could be used as an easy method of predicting insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

This was a small scale study. Larger studies are warranted.