Impact of obesity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism on steatosis and fibrosis risk in young females with PCOS

Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) represent a common pathogenic background of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated whether PCOS is a risk factor for steatosis, and subsequently, the impact of IR and hyperandrogenism on steatosis and fibrosis. We considered 202 consecutive non diabetic PCOS patients and 101 age-matched controls. PCOS was diagnosed applying the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. Steatosis was diagnosed if hepatic steatosis index (HSI) >36, while fibrosis by using the FIB-4 score. As surrogate estimate of insulin sensitivity we considered the insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as estima…