Prevalence and risk of metabolic syndrome in adolescent Indian girls with polycystic ovary syndrome using the 2009 'joint interim criteria'

Aim: Our objective was to study the prevalence and risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) among adolescent Indian girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), compared to those without, as per the recent 'joint interim statement' criteria. We also aimed to compare the selected study parameters across PCOS adolescents with and without MS. Material & Methods: Cross-sectional data of 96 adolescent girls were retrospectively analyzed applying the 2009 'joint interim criteria' for MS. Fifty-one of them were diagnosed with PCOS as per the Androgen excess society criteria 2006. The remaining 45 adolescent girls (no androgen excess manifestations and regular cycles) formed the comparison group. Results: The prevalence of MS among adolescents with PCOS (60.78%; 95% CI = 50.78%, 70.78%) was significantly more compared to those without (P = 0.002). The odds ratio of MS among PCOS adolescents was 4.26 (95% CI = 1.79, 10.15). Only the mean waist circumference differed significantly between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups (P = 0.046). Interestingly, the contrast between the MS and non-MS subgroups of the PCOS adolescent sample produced significant differences in body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and biochemical parameters such as fasting plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: Adolescent Indian girls with PCOS were reported to have 4.26 times more chances of developing MS compared to those without. Waist circumference was found to be the cheapest and simplest significant marker of MS. The study underlines the need for routine screening of MS among adolescent girls suffering from PCOS to reduce future co-morbidities.