Postprandial thermogenesis is reduced in polycystic ovary syndrome and is associated with increased insulin resistance

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to investigate the possible causes and effects of obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome resting energy expenditure, postprandial thermogenesis and insulin resistance were measured in 14 polycystic ovary syndrome subjects and in 14 controls. DESIGN A cross‐sectional study of a selected group of patients was performed. PATIENTS Seven of the PCOS subjects were obese and seven lean. Controls were individually matched for age, race, weight, body mass index (BMI) lean body mass and percentage fat. The obese, but not lean, polycystic ovary syndrome subjects had a greater walst:hip ratio than controls (median (range) obese PCOS 0.865 (0.823–0.960) vs obese control 0.804 (0.823–0.940), P vs 6833 (4893–8492) kJ/day). REE correlated with LBM in the PCOS group (r= 0.83, P r= 0.82, P vs 86.5 (67.2–109.2) kJ (P vs 89.9 (76.0–109.2) kJ (P P vs 116 . 15 mU/1, P vs 173 (109–225) μmol/1/min (P vs 194 (161–253) μmol/1/min (P r= 0.75, P <0.01). CONCLUSION These results confirm previous reports of hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, polycystic ovary syndrome subjects have a reduced postprandial thermogenesis which is related statistically to the reduced insulin sensitivity. The decreased postprandial thermogenesis may predispose women with polycystic ovary syndrome to weight gain.