Ethnic differences in insulin and glucose response to glucose between white and Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective

To examine different patterns of glucose and insulin secretion in women (of both Indian and white ethnic backgrounds) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design

A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 11 subjects from each group.
Setting

Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Clinics from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, and King Edward the VIIIth Hospital, Durban, South Africa.
Patients

Couples were grouped as follows: Indian nonobese and obese PCOS, Indian nonobese and obese reference subjects, white nonobese and obese PCOS, white nonobese and obese reference subjects.
Main Outcome Measure

Insulin and glucose in plasma after oral glucose testing.
Results

Indian PCOS and nonobese reference subjects had higher insulin responses than whites. The ethnic difference was less pronounced in obese women. There were no ethnic differences in glucose response.
Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the ethnic background of subjects with PCOS needs to be considered in studies on the metabolic parameters in this condition.