Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
May 2026
in “
SJ Gynecology and Obstetrics Africa
”
polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS impaired glucose tolerance IGT diabetes mellitus BMI central adiposity waist–hip ratio acanthosis nigricans primary subfertility polycystic ovarian morphology oral glucose tolerance test dysglycaemia diabetes body mass index obesity skin darkening infertility polycystic ovaries glucose test blood sugar issues
In a study of 100 young women aged 15–25 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in India, 27% were found to have abnormal glucose tolerance, with 22% having impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 5% having diabetes mellitus. The study highlighted that abnormal glucose tolerance was more prevalent among women with higher BMI, central adiposity, a waist–hip ratio of ≥0.85, and a family history of diabetes. Additionally, conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, primary subfertility, and polycystic ovarian morphology were more common in those with IGT or diabetes. The findings suggest that a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test is useful for early detection of dysglycaemia in young women with PCOS, especially those with obesity or a family history of diabetes.
