Progression to prediabetes or diabetes in young Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A longitudinal observational study

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2021 May;94(5):837-844. doi: 10.1111/cen.14416. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate changes in glycaemic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Longitudinal observational study.

Patients: Women with PCOS who underwent baseline and follow-up screening tests for diabetes (n = 262). Four patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at baseline and 6 patients who were taking drugs at the final follow-up were excluded.

Measurements: Changes in glycaemic classification based on fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c and oral glucose tolerance test.

Results: The median length of follow-up was 2.9 years. The mean age and body mass index in the normoglycaemia group (n = 202) were 23.0 years and 21.6 kg/m2 , while it was 23.6 years and 22.9 kg/m2 in the prediabetes group (n = 50). In the normoglycaemia group, 38 (18.8%) and 2 (1.0%) developed prediabetes and T2DM, respectively. In the prediabetes group, 22 (44.0%) remained in the same category, 6 (12.0%) developed T2DM, while 22 (44.0%) achieved normoglycaemia. The incidence rate of T2DM was 9.3 per 1,000 person-years, which was significantly higher than that of the female population of similar age, and the incidence was higher in women with fasting glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L at baseline than in women with < 5.6 mmol/L.

Conclusions: About 20% of normoglycaemic women had developed prediabetes or T2DM after a median time of 2.9 years. Meanwhile, nearly half of prediabetes women achieved normoglycaemia. Higher baseline fasting glucose levels were associated with an increased incidence of T2DM. Our results are the first to evaluate glycaemic status changes using all three parameters in patients with PCOS.

Keywords: Diabetes; Glycaemic status; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Prediabetes.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*
  • Prediabetic State* / epidemiology
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose