ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES IN INSULIN AND GLUCOSE RESPONSE TO GLUCOSE BETWEENWHITE AND INDIAN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

Objective: To examine different patterns of glucose and insulin secret ion in women (of both Indian and white ethnic backgrounds) with polycy stic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 11 subjects from each group. Setting: Reproductive M edicine and Gynecological Clinics from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, W oodville, South Australia, and King Edward the VIIIth Hospital, Durban , South Africa. Patients: Couples were grouped as follows: Indian nono bese and obese PCOS, Indian nonobese and obese reference subjects, whi te nonobese and obese PCOS, white nonobese and obese reference subject s. Main Outcome Measure: Insulin and glucose in plasma after oral gluc ose testing. Results: Indian PCOS and nonobese reference subjects had higher insulin responses than whites. The ethnic difference was less p ronounced in obese women. There were no ethnic differences in glucose response. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the ethnic backgrou nd of subjects with PCOS needs to be considered in studies on the meta bolic parameters in this condition.