The polycystic ovary syndrome associated with morbid obesity may resolve after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.

CONTEXT The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with obesity. However, there are very few data about PCOS in morbid obesity, especially with regard to its evolution after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of PCOS to the sustained and marked weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery in morbidly obese women. DESIGN This was a longitudinal prospective nonrandomized evaluation. SETTINGS The study was performed at an academic hospital. PATIENTS Thirty-six consecutive premenopausal women submitted to bariatric surgery were screened for PCOS, which was present in 17. INTERVENTIONS Bariatric surgery was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hyperandrogenism, menstrual function, and insulin resistance were estimated before and at least 6 months after bariatric surgery in 12 patients with PCOS. RESULTS Weight loss (41 +/- 9 kg after 12 +/- 5 months) was paralleled by decreases in the hirsutism score (from 9.5 +/- 6.8 to 4.9 +/- 4.2; P = 0.001), total (69 +/- 32 to 42 +/- 19 ng/dl; P < 0.02) and free testosterone (from 1.6 +/- 0.7 to 0.6 +/- 0.3 ng/dl; P < 0.005), androstenedione (from 4.1 +/- 1.5 to 3.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml; P < 0.02), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (from 2000 +/- 1125 to 1353 +/- 759 ng/ml; P < 0.005); amelioration of insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment (from 6.0 +/- 3.0 to 1.6 +/- 1.0; P < 0.001); and restoration of regular menstrual cycles and/or ovulation in all patients. CONCLUSIONS The PCOS is a frequent finding in women with morbid obesity and may resolve after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.