Biochemical Evidence of Overweight, Androgen Excess and Hyperinsulinaemia in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Nauth, Nnewi, Nigeria

Authors

  • Nkiruka R Ukibe1 , Charles T Chigbo1 , Charles C Onyenekwe1, Adaobi A Chigbo1 , Anya O Kalu2 , Ejatuluchukwu Obi3 , Ezinne G Ukibe2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v12i1.13898

Keywords:

Overweight, androgen excess, hyperinsulinaemia, women, polycystic ovary

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent androgen disorder of ovarian
function. This was a cross-sectional study designed to evaluate the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin
(SHBG), fasting insulin and some select androgens in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Seventy four (74) women aged between 18-40 years were conveniently selected.
37 of them attending the gynecological clinic were diagnosed with PCOS based on the Rotterdam
criteria. The remaining 37 participants were apparently healthy hospital staff recruited as control. Blood
sample was collected from all the participants for determination of SHBG, fasting insulin, testosterone,
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol (E2) levels using standard laboratory methods.
Results: Fasting insulin, testosterone, DHEA-S in participants with PCOS were significantly higher
compared with their corresponding control participants (p = 0.005, 0.001, 0.001 respectively), while SHBG
in participants with PCOS was significantly lower compared with the control participants (p = 0.002). Body
mass index (BMI) and free androgen index ratio (FAI) were significantly higher in participants with PCOS
compared with their corresponding controls (p = 0.043, 0.001). Waste/hip ratio showed a strong negative
correlation with levels of SHBG and E2 in participants with PCOS (p = 0.025, 0.015, r = -0.368, 0.397
respectively), while BMI showed a strong negative correlation with E2 in participants with PCOS (r =
-0.374, p = 0.023).
Conclusion: Significantly higher BMI value shows evidence of obesity and or overweight in female
participants with PCOS. Significantly higher levels of testosterone, DHEA-S, fasting insulin, FAI, with
lower SHBG suggests androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia which may subsequently predispose the
women to type II diabetes.

Author Biography

  • Nkiruka R Ukibe1 , Charles T Chigbo1 , Charles C Onyenekwe1, Adaobi A Chigbo1 , Anya O Kalu2 , Ejatuluchukwu Obi3 , Ezinne G Ukibe2

    1 Senior Lecturer, Post graduate, Senior Professor, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences,
    Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. 2 Senior Lecturer, Medical Student, Department Medicine,
    Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State,
    Nigeria. 3 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi
    Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria

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Published

2021-01-07

How to Cite

Biochemical Evidence of Overweight, Androgen Excess and Hyperinsulinaemia in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Nauth, Nnewi, Nigeria. (2021). Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 12(1), 510-516. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v12i1.13898