Abstrait

The link between polycystic ovary syndrome and Type 2 diabetes: what do we know today?

Thozhukat Sathyapalan & Stephen L Atkin

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition estimated to affect 4–18% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is associated with reproductive and metabolic sequelae. These sequelae include increased risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is proposed as a key pathophysiological feature of PCOS contributing to both the reproductive and metabolic disturbances as well as contributing to an increased cardiometabolic risk for women with PCOS. In this article we have discussed the inter-relationship between PCOS, insulin resistance and T2DM as well as various risk factors present in women with PCOS that predisposes them to develop T2DM.