ASSOCIATION OF ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS WITH INSULIN-RESISTANCE IN PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

This study was designed to explore the association of insulin resistan ce and acanthosis nigricans (AN) in patients with polycystic ovary syn drome (PCOS). Fifty women, 18-37 years old, were included in the study , and divided into five groups consisting of: (I) 10 women with PCOS, abnormal body mass index (BMI) and AN; (II) 10 women with PCOS and abn ormal BMI, but without AN; (III) 10 women with PCOS, normal BMI, and n o AN; (IV) 10 women with abnormal BMI, but without PCOS or AN; and (V) 10 healthy women with normal BMI. Measurement of fasting glucose and insulin levels before and after oral glucose challenge was performed. Fasting serum insulin levels were found to be significantly lower in g roups III, IV and V than in groups I and II, with no significant diffe rence between groups I and II, or between groups III, IV and V. Total insulin response following administration of glucose did not differ si gnificantly between the groups. These findings support the view that o bese PCOS patients with AN do not have significantly higher insulin re sistance than obese patients without AN. Insulin resistance is a neces sary, but not the only, factor leading to the development of AN in pat ients with PCOS. Other factors should also be considered in the pathog enesis of this cutaneous reaction.