Insulin resistance in adolescents with menstrual irregularities

To assess the presence of insulin resistance as well as the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents with menstrual disorders.

A case-control study was conducted with 34 adolescents during the period of 2 to 4 years after menarche. The patients were divided into two groups: group I (G I) with 22 patients with menstrual irregularity, and group II (G II) with 12 patients with regular menstrual cycles. Body mass index and Ferriman-Gallway index were calculated for all patients, who also received a pelvic ultrasound. We measured DHEA-S, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, TSH, LH, FSH, and prolactin in serum sample and conducted the glucose tolerance test with 75 mg dextrose with measurement of glucose and insulin.

Mean +/- SD ovary volume was larger in G I (11.38 +/- 4.06 cm(3)) than in G II (7.72 +/- 5.59 cm(3)); P < 0.05. DHEA-S (G I = 47.23; G II = 38.38 microg/dl) and testosterone (G I = 54.19; G II = 32.53 ng/dl) levels were higher in patients with menstrual irregularity. In G I we detected two patients with diabetes mellitus and one patient with glucose intolerance. Sixteen patients in this group had clinical or hormonal characteristics of PCOS. The mean values of the area under the insulin curve (AUIC) were higher in patients with menstrual irregularities (8,556.52 muIU/mL/2 h) than in controls (5,743.38 microIU/mL/2 h); P < 0.05.

The presence of PCOS was detected in 95% of the adolescents with menstrual irregularity. Patients with menstrual disorders presented higher AUIC values than controls.