Different Glucose Variability in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With and Without Insulin Resistance: A Pilot...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age, and it is often associated with insulin resistance (IR). There is a lack of evidence about glucose profiles evaluated throughout continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in women with PCOS, especially according to the presence of IR.

Women with PCOS ≥18 years old underwent CGM (Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott) for 14 days. IR was defined by homeostatic model assessment for IR >2 or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index <0.357. CGM metrics were compared between the 2 groups. Associations between hormonal assays and CGM metrics were also evaluated.

In 36 women with PCOS (median age 22 years [18-26] and body mass index 27.5 (6.6) kg/m²), time in range (70-180 mg/dL) and time in tight range (70-140 mg/dL) were comparable between women with and without IR (P > .05). Regardless of the score used to evaluate IR, women with IR presented a lower coefficient of variation (CV) compared with those without IR (using homeostatic model assessment for IR, CV non-IR 17.1 [12.0-19.8] versus IR 13.5 [11.2-15.5], P = .04; using quantitative insulin sensitivity check index non-IR 17.3 [11.2-19.9] versus IR 13.8 [10.9-15.7], P = .04). Follicle-stimulating hormone was also correlated with mean sensor glucose, time spent above 140 mg/dL, and glucose management indicator.

Women with PCOS presented overall good glucose control. No differences in time in range and time in tight range were detected, but women with IR presented a lower CV.