BODY-FAT DISTRIBUTION IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

Objective: To investigate body fat distribution in women with polycyst ic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and six indices of body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiome try were compared in 40 women with PCOS and 97 age-matched controls. T he possible correlations between the body fat characteristics and seru m androgen levels were evaluated in the 40 PCOS women. Body fat distri bution was classified into upper- (N = 24) and lower-half body type (N = 16), and androgen levels and the incidence of hirsutism were compar ed in the two types. Results: The BMI, body fat ratio, upper-half body fat ratio, and upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio were significantl y higher in PCOS women than in controls. After adjustment for age, hei ght, and body weight, the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio was sti ll significant (P < .001). The PCOS subjects exhibited a significant p ositive correlation between the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio a nd dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels (r = 0.607, P < .01) as well as testosterone levels (r = 0.585, P < .05). Dehydroepiandros terone-sulfate and testosterone levels were significantly higher in th ose with the upper-half body type than in those with the lower-half bo dy type (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding variables, only D HEA-S was still significantly higher in this body type (P < .05). Conc lusion: Serum DHEA-S levels seem to be associated with upper-half body fat distribution in women with PCOS, irrespective of body weight.