No phenotypic differences for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) between women with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus

Context: Women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) have a higher prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than the general population. Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify, in DM1 women with PCOS(PCOS-DM1), the influence of insulin therapy and glycemic control and evaluate the hormonal and phenotypic differences with age-matched and body mass index (BMI)-matched women with PCOS without diabetes. Design, Setting, and Patients: We evaluated 103 DM1 women with and without PCOS treated with intensive insulin therapy; 38 age-matched and BMI-matched women with PCOS without diabetes were compared in a cross-sectional study. Outcome Measurements: Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were evaluated. Hormonal evaluation and ovary ultrasound were performed during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Results: Applying the diagnostic criteria of the Androgen Excess Society, 38 (36.89%) women with DM1 showed PCOS. The 38 PCOS-DM1 women showed no differences in treatment and glycemic control compared with DM1 women without PCOS. The only difference was a higher visceral adiposity index in PCOS-DM1 (1.21 ± 0.70 vs 0.90 ± 0.32; P = .002). PCOS-DM1 showed no phenotypic differences with age-matched and BMI-matched PCOS without diabetes. The hormonal pattern was similar except that higher levels of -4 androstenedione were found in PCOS-DM1 (12.89 ± 3.49 vs 2.79 ± 1.75 nmol/L; P = .010). Conclusions: The women with PCOS-DM1 do not exhibit particular phenotypic characteristics compared with nondiabetic women with PCOS. However, this pathological disorder must not be underestimated because it could be an additional cardiovascular risk factor in women with DM1. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 99: 203-211, 2014). © Copyright 2014 by The Endocrine Society.