Review article

Metabolic Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Božo Čolak
Petar Jukić
Kristina Kljajić
Zrinka Čolak

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the commonest
endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Although
its aetiology is still unclear, there is increasing evidence of
a predominantly genetic infl uence. PCOS is not a separate
aetiological and clinical entity, but rather a spectrum of
clinical signs and symptoms that suggest similar, but not
completely identical pathophysiologic processes. PCOS is
often associated with a characteristic metabolic syndrome
that includes hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance,
dyslipidaemia and hypertension. In about 50% of patients,
insulin resistance is both a cause and a result of this
syndrome. Hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenaemia form
a vicious circle where obesity and genetic predisposition are
two independent and probably major triggering factors. The
new goal in the treatment of this syndrome is to attenuate
hyperinsulinaemia by weight reduction, drugs inhibiting
pancreatic insulin secretion and drugs improving peripheral
insulin sensitivity.

Keywords

PCOS; metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance; hyperinsulinaemia; hyperandrogenaemia

Hrčak ID:

18992

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/18992

Publication date:

15.11.2004.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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