We aimed to identify metabolic disorders associated with insulin resistance (IR) in Congolese women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Fifty‐four PCOS women and 40 controls from three hospitals of Kinshasa were enrolled to our case‐control study. Blood samples were collected, and concentrations of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), fasting insulin, and glucose levels were measured. IR under basal conditions was evaluated with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR). Dyslipidemia was observed in 37.5 controls and 55.6% PCOS women (p < 0.05). The two main lipoproteins concerned were HDL and LDL; nevertheless, the difference in LDL levels between PCOS and controls was not significant. Higher TG (>150 mg/dl) was not found in the two groups, whereas TG levels in PCOS patients were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and metabolic syndrome were observed, respectively, in 1.9% of PCOS patients. Insulin resistance is associated with metabolic disorders in Congolese woman with PCOS. Dyslipidemia (55.6%), mainly due to low HDL levels, is the most common metabolic disorder. Impaired glucose tolerance and metabolic syndrome represent a small proportion.
Part of the book: Testes and Ovaries