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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Carbohydrate Quantity vs. Quality in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Population-Based Meta-Analysis Combined with GBD
Yuxin Jin1, Li Zhang1, Xinwen Yu1
1Department of Endocrinology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China.
Introduction:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common metabolic-endocrine disorder, is linked to low-quality carbohydrate intake, though evidence remains controversial. This research aimed to evaluate carbohydrate quantity/quality impacts on PCOS by combining global trends from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database with pooled study from individual-level data.
Methods:
We analyzed GBD 2021 data to assess annual trends in PCOS incidence and low-grain/high-sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Six databases were searched until February 2025 to identify population-based studies for meta-analysis. Results were expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95 % CIs, and heterogeneity was evaluated using χ2 tests and I2 statistics.
Results:
GBD 2021 data revealed rising PCOS incidence alongside increased low whole-grain intake and high sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. This meta-analysis of 25 studies (n = 20,738) found no significant difference in total carbohydrate intake between PCOS and non-PCOS women. However, women with PCOS had significantly higher refined grain intake (SMD (95 % CI) = 0.66 [0.09, 1.24]) and lower whole grains (SMD (95 % CI) = -0.64 [-1.34, 0.07]) and fiber intake (MD (95 % CI) = -1.83 [-3.80, 0.13]). Subgroup analyses demonstrated significantly reduced fiber intake in overweight (MD = -2.92 [95 % CI: 4.64 to -1.21]) and non-diabetic women with PCOS (MD = -1.40 [95 % CI: 2.42 to -0.38]).
Conclusion:
Compared with carbohydrate quantity, lower-quality carbohydrate intake-characterized by higher refined grain consumption and lower intake of fiber and whole grains-appears to be more closely associated with PCOS. Different metabolic phenotypes in PCOS may require personalized dietary strategies.
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