[Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A case-control study employing 60 nonpregnant patients with PCOS and 60 non-pregnant patients without PCOS as control was conducted to compare the prevalence of NAFLD. RESULTS: The aminotransferase (ALT), fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were (29 +/- 15) U/L, (19 +/- 12) mU/L and 0.47 +/- 0.29 in PCOS group, which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than corresponding parameters in control group [(15 +/- 13) U/L, (11 +/- 8) mU/L and 0.31 +/- 0.21)]. The occurrence of insulin resistance and NAFLD was63% (38/60) and 42% (25/60), higher than those in control group [35% (21/60) and 20% (12/60), P < 0.05]. The increment of ALT was 40% (24/60) in PCOS group, higher than that of 3% (2/60) in control group (P < 0.01). Compared with patients without NAFLD, patients with NAFLD had significantly increased body mass index (P < 0.01), waist-hip ratio, ALT, C-reaction protein, fasting insulin, insulin and HOMA-IR levels 2 hours after oral glucose tolerance test (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The increased prevalence of NAFLD in PCOS patients suggests an association between these two conditions and the necessity of hepatic screening among PCOS patients for potential NAFLD.