Abstract
This age-matched case-control study assessed total and segmental lean muscle mass
in classic or ovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and investigated
whether lean mass is associated with hormone and metabolic features. Participants
underwent anthropometric and clinical evaluation. Habitual physical activity was assessed
with a digital pedometer, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Laboratory measurements included total cholesterol, cholesterol fractions, triglycerides,
glucose, total serum testosterone, serum insulin, estradiol, luteinizing hormone,
and SHBG. Energy intake was calculated using a food frequency questionnaire. Classic
PCOS patients had higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, testosterone
and lipid accumulation product values than ovulatory PCOS and controls. Energy consumption,
homeostasis model assessment index, SHBG, free androgen index and triglycerides, total
and trunk lean mass were higher only in classic PCOS women vs. controls. Arm, leg,
trunk, total or limb lean masses were not correlated with hormone levels in any of
the groups. However, in PCOS women lipid accumulation product was positively correlated
with total (r=0.56, p=0.001), trunk (r=0.59, p=0.001), arm (r=0.54, p=0.001), leg
(r=0.44, p=0.03) and limb (r=0.48, p=0.001) lean masses. BMI was positively correlated
with all lean mass segments and independently associated with total lean mass. Lipid
accumulation product and BMI were independently associated with trunk lean mass variation.
The increase in lean mass in classic PCOS appears to be associated with insulin resistance
and central obesity rather than with energy intake, physical activity or androgens.
Key words
hyperandrogenemia - polycystic ovary syndrome - metabolic features - obesity
