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.
Glucose - Insulin - Lipids - Uric acid - Idiopathic hirsutism
