Lower Sex hormone-binding globulin is a potential marker for the insulin resistance in non-obese untreated Taiwanese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered to share similar features with metabolic syndrome (MBS). Useful clinical diagnostics is necessary to evaluate the early manifestations of worsening health illustrated in non-obese women with PCOS. Objective: We investigated the association of serum biochemical and hormonal factors of non-obese patients with PCOS. Methods: Thirty qualified premenopausal, non-obese Taiwanese women with PCOS were enrolled in this study while another 15 non-obese premenopausal women were enrolled and served as controls. Anthropometric measures and select essential biochemical and hormonal measures were measured. The regressions between selected biochemical measures and the anthropometric measures were assessed between these groups. Results: When the PCOS group was compared with the control, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were significantly lower (56.3 ± 13.3 mg/dL and 49.9 ± 22.9 nmol/L, respectively, p<0.05) and while high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), was significantly higher (0.18 ± 0.21 mg/L). SHBG was significantly correlated with androgen profiles, HDL-C and triglycerides levels after being adjusted for age and BMI, hormone levels and anthropometric variables. HDL-C is highly inversely associated with waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance and results from 2-h glucose challenge test significantly but negatively correlated with SHBG levels after being adjusting for age and BMI in the PCOS group. Conclusion: Lower SHBG is a useful clinical marker to help detecting the insulin resistance in patients of non-obese Taiwanese women with PCOS.