A population-based study of the relationship between idiopathic hirsutism and metabolic disturbances

To evaluate the association of idiopathic hirsutism, insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.

Participants of this study included 137 women with idiopathic hirsutism and 698 women as controls selected from two large population-based cross-sectional studies including 1,772 reproductive-aged women. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of the participants were measured and compared; for instance, insulin resistance was estimated through the homeostatic model assessment and the metabolic syndrome was detected using the Joint Interim Statement.

Mean age, body mass index and other anthropometric measures including waist and hip circumferences were statistically higher in women with idiopathic hirsutism. No differences were observed in blood pressure, glucose and lipid profiles, homeostatic model assessment or the prevalence of insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic syndrome in women with idiopathic hirsutism and controls after adjustment of age and body mass index. In the subgroup of women with metabolic syndrome, fasting glucose levels of those with idiopathic hirsutism were significantly higher than controls, after adjustment of age and body mass index as 114 ± 25.85 vs. 103.52 ± 41.90 mg/dL, P = 0.003. Furthermore, the age and body mass index-adjusted prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in women with idiopathic hirsutism were higher than controls as 16.8 vs. 4.6%, OR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.59-5.38. A threshold of 74.5 cm for waist circumference had the optimal combined sensitivity and specificity for prediction of insulin resistance in women with idiopathic hirsutism, though this value was 90.5 cm for controls.

Our data suggest that although the overall metabolic characteristics were similar in women with idiopathic hirsutism and controls, glycemic disturbances were more often seen in those suffered from metabolic syndrome and idiopathic hirsutism simultaneously.