Publication:

Lipid accumulation product as a predictor of insulin resistance in Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome-a cross sectional study

Background Polycystic ovary disease is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age group with a prevalence of around 6-18%. Asian population with PCOS are at a higher risk for insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Early screening and detection of insulin resistance can prevent future metabolic co-morbidities. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a new emerging index can identify insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities among these women.

Methods PCOS was diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, insulin resistance (IR) and LAP were calculated. LAP was defined as [WC (cm) – 58] × TG (mmol/l). IR was defined using homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) and A cut off value >3.8 defined IR. LAP, BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were compared using two-tailed spearman rank correlation test and analysing the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results Among these women, the mean, IR and LAP were 3.56±2.17 and 39.58±24.82. 54% women had BMI>25 kg/m2. 43% PCOS women were insulin resistant (IR>3.8). Mean LAP values were significantly higher in cases than controls. 41% PCOS women had LAP value higher than cut off. (LAP>34.5). A strong positive and significant correlation was obtained between IR and LAP (rho=0.67, p<0.001) and was higher than the other parameters. Also, ROC curve analysis revealed, LAP had the maximum area under the curve (AUC).

Conclusions LAP, an easily obtainable index, is an effective marker of insulin resistance and can be used to detect insulin resistance in PCOS as higher LAP values were observed in women with PCOS compared to controls.