The prevalence and risk factors of abnormal glucose tolerance amongst Nigerian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy amongst women in the reproductive age worldwide. Abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) is common amongst women with PCOS. The prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance amongst Nigerian women with PCOS has not been investigated.OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of abnormal glucose tolerance among Nigerian women with PCOS seeking infertility treatment.MATERIALS AND METHOD: Case control prospective study. Cases were infertile women with PCOS who presented at the Human Reproduction Research programme unit for treatment and the controls were women who did not have PCOS. The study population was subjected to standard 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT). Student test and Chi square were used to calculate significant difference between means and proportions respectively.RESULT: AGT was significantly higher amongst PCOS. (27.8 vs 7.6%) Age above 30, BMI >30, and waist circumference >88 were significant predictors of AGT amongst PCOS patients.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AGT amongst PCOS patients in Nigeria is high. We recommend routine OGTT for PCOS patient particularly those older than 30 years or with body mass index > 30 and or those with waistcircumference greater than 88cm, to determine the place of metformin in their treatment.Keywords: Infertility, Polycystic ovary syndrome, glucose tolerance, oral glucose tolerance test