Body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To investigate body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and six indices of body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were compared in 40 women with PCOS and 97 age-matched controls. The possible correlations between the body fat characteristics and serum androgen levels were evaluated in the 40 PCOS women. Body fat distribution was classified into upper- (N = 24) and lower-half body type (N = 16), and androgen levels and the incidence of hirsutism were compared in the two types. RESULTS The BMI, body fat ratio, upper-half body fat ratio, and upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio were significantly higher in PCOS women than in controls. After adjustment for age, height, and body weight, the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio was still significant (P < .001). The PCOS subjects exhibited a significant positive correlation between the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels (r = 0.607, P < .01) as well as testosterone levels (r = 0.585, P < .05). Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and testosterone levels were significantly higher in those with the upper-half body type than in those with the lower-half body type (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding variables, only DHEA-S was still significantly higher in this body type (P < .05). CONCLUSION Serum DHEA-S levels seem to be associated with upper-half body fat distribution in women with PCOS, irrespective of body weight.