Ethnic difference in insulin and glucose response to glucose between Caucasian and Indian women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine different patterns of glucose and insulin secretion in women (of both Indian and white ethnic backgrounds) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).<h4>Design</h4>A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 11 subjects from each group.<h4>Setting</h4>Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Clinics from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, and King Edward the VIIIth Hospital, Durban, South Africa.<h4>Patients</h4>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.<h4>Main outcome measure</h4>Insulin and glucose in plasma after oral glucose testing.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study demonstrates that the ethnic background of subjects with PCOS needs to be considered in studies on the metabolic parameters in this condition.