Evaluation of para-and perirenal fat thickness and its association with metabolic disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this study was to compare para-and perirenal fat (PFT) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (SFT) measurements between patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and control subjects and to assess the possible relation with metabolic disorders. Methods: This study included 68 patients with PCOS and 40 age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls. We evaluated anthropometric, hormonal, and metabolic parameters, and abdominal ultrasonography was performed to measure PFT and SFT. Results: the mean PFT values were 6.1 +/- 2.9 mm in patients with PCOS and 4.3 +/- 2.3 mm in healthy controls (P =.002). SFT values were also higher in the patient group (9.6 +/- 5 mm) compared to healthy subjects (3.5 +/- 0.5 mm) (P =.017). A significant positive correlation was found between PFT and BMI (r = 0.368), waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.441), Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score (r = 0.313), blood pressure (systolic, SBP, r = 0.213; diastolic, DBP, r = 0.215), plasma glucose (r = 0.195), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, r = 0.273), SFT (r = 0.555). Conversely, negative correlations were found between PFT and estradiol (r = -0.218) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG, r = -0.304). Nonobese PCOS patients (6.1 +/- 3.07 mm) had higher PFT values than nonobese controls (3.47 +/- 1.5 mm); however, SFT measurements did not differ (P =.086). in multiple linear regression analysis, SFT (P =.006) was a significant and independent predictor for PFT, along with WC (P =.023). in a stepwise model, SFT was the predictor of PFT (P =.001). Conclusion: PFT values were higher particularly in nonobese PCOS patients compared to nonobese control subjects. There was a significant interaction between PCOS and obesity on PFT.