The Insulin Response to Oral Glucose, Concentrations of Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Uric Acid in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

Abstract

The glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test, concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were evaluated in women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). Clinical data and laparoscopy of the ovaries were used in diagnosis. According to body weight the patients were divided into two groups: obese (OB-IH) and non-obese (NO-IH). In the IH and NO-IH groups the glucose response was significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.05). The insulin response to oral glucose was significantly higher in the IH and OB-IH groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased in the IH and OB-IH groups compared to those of normal women (p < 0.01). All groups had significantly higher levels of uric acid compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The results of our study suggest that alterations of carbohydrate, lipid and uric acid metabolism are present in patients with IH and further studies are needed to establish their mechanisms. © 1989, J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York. All rights reserved.