Characterization of metabolic changes in the phenotypes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome in a large Mediterranean population from Sicily.

Objective To better characterize the metabolic alterations in various phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a large homogeneous (Sicilian) Mediterranean population with a low prevalence of obesity. Design Retrospective study. Patients A total of 1215 consecutively evaluated women with PCOS divided into four Rotterdam phenotypes (A, B, C and D) and in 108 matched ovulatory, nonhyperandrogenic women. Measurements BMI, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and an oral glucose tolerance test. Results The overall prevalence of obesity was 31%, metabolic syndrome 6.6%, diabetes 2.1%, altered glucose metabolism 13.1%, and abnormal lipid pro…