Metabolic syndrome occurs at an early age in women with polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), particularly among women with the highest insulin levels and body
mass index. Obesity is a common characteristic of PCOS and is more common in
women with PCOS. Excessive weight gain may reveal the latent PCOS condition. Most
women with PCOS are hyperinsulinemic and insulin-resistant. Insulin resistance (IR) is
a major cause of metabolic manifestations and is known to be a common finding in
PCOS. PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance,
type 2 gestational diabetes mellitus, lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities, and
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The presence of obesity, IR, impaired glucose
tolerance, diabetes mellitus type 2, and dyslipidemia may predispose to coronary heart
disease in women with PCOS.
Keywords: Insulin resistance, Metabolic syndrome, Polycystic ovary syndrome.
