open access

Vol 70, No 4 (2019)
Original paper
Submitted: 2019-02-08
Accepted: 2019-03-01
Published online: 2019-07-09
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The value of the free androgen index depends on the phenotype of polycystic ovary syndrome — a single-centre experience

Katarzyna Ożga1, Magdalena Krzyczkowska- Sendrakowska1, Alicja Hubalewska- Dydejczyk2, Aleksandra Gilis-Januszewska2, Maciej Ratajczak3, Magdalena Ratajczak4, Zlata Chaykivska5, Robert Jach1
·
Pubmed: 30938834
·
Endokrynol Pol 2019;70(4):330-335.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Gynaecology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
  2. Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
  3. Department of Endocrinology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Bielański Hospital in Warsaw, Poland
  4. Public Central Teaching Clinical Hospital in Warsaw, Poland
  5. Clinical Department of Metabolic Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland

open access

Vol 70, No 4 (2019)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2019-02-08
Accepted: 2019-03-01
Published online: 2019-07-09

Abstract

Introduction: The free androgen index (FAI) values differ among patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome; however, the differences are not fully understood or known. The aim of the study was to evaluate FAI in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in regard to the phenotype of the PCOS and insulin resistance status.

Material and methods: Anthropometric, hormonal, and biochemical parameters were assessed in 312 recruited women with PCOS. The FAI values were calculated in the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS in groups of insulin resistance status based on the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) > 2.0 or fasting insulin (FI) > 10 mmol/L. To test the relationship between individual variables, Spearman’s correlation analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Student’s t-test were used.

Results: The correlation between FAI values and HOMA-IR and FI was 0.42 and 0.47, respectively, in PCOS patients. A two fold higher FAI value was observed in metabolic PCOS phenotype when compared to the reproductive one (8.51 ± 5.56 vs. 4.40 ± 2.45 for HOMA-IR and 8.73 ± 6.09 vs. 4.31 ± 3.39 for FI, respectively; p < 0.05).
Conclusions: PCOS patients are not a homogenous group in terms of FAI value. Patients with metabolic PCOS phenotype are characterised by two-fold higher FAI values compared with reproductive PCOS phenotype. Further studies on the metabolic and androgenic status of different types of PCOS phenotypes should be carried out. 

Abstract

Introduction: The free androgen index (FAI) values differ among patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome; however, the differences are not fully understood or known. The aim of the study was to evaluate FAI in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in regard to the phenotype of the PCOS and insulin resistance status.

Material and methods: Anthropometric, hormonal, and biochemical parameters were assessed in 312 recruited women with PCOS. The FAI values were calculated in the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS in groups of insulin resistance status based on the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) > 2.0 or fasting insulin (FI) > 10 mmol/L. To test the relationship between individual variables, Spearman’s correlation analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Student’s t-test were used.

Results: The correlation between FAI values and HOMA-IR and FI was 0.42 and 0.47, respectively, in PCOS patients. A two fold higher FAI value was observed in metabolic PCOS phenotype when compared to the reproductive one (8.51 ± 5.56 vs. 4.40 ± 2.45 for HOMA-IR and 8.73 ± 6.09 vs. 4.31 ± 3.39 for FI, respectively; p < 0.05).
Conclusions: PCOS patients are not a homogenous group in terms of FAI value. Patients with metabolic PCOS phenotype are characterised by two-fold higher FAI values compared with reproductive PCOS phenotype. Further studies on the metabolic and androgenic status of different types of PCOS phenotypes should be carried out. 

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Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome; free androgen index; hyperandrogenism; insulin resistance

About this article
Title

The value of the free androgen index depends on the phenotype of polycystic ovary syndrome — a single-centre experience

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 70, No 4 (2019)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

330-335

Published online

2019-07-09

Page views

2542

Article views/downloads

1372

DOI

10.5603/EP.a2019.0017

Pubmed

30938834

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2019;70(4):330-335.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome
free androgen index
hyperandrogenism
insulin resistance

Authors

Katarzyna Ożga
Magdalena Krzyczkowska- Sendrakowska
Alicja Hubalewska- Dydejczyk
Aleksandra Gilis-Januszewska
Maciej Ratajczak
Magdalena Ratajczak
Zlata Chaykivska
Robert Jach

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