Objective: To examine serum leptin concentrations in obese and lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to assess whether the changes in leptin levels are due to obesity or hormonal alterations.
Design: Controlled clinical study.
Setting: Academic research environment.
Patient(s): Obese and lean women with PCOS.
Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected before and after food consumption.
Main outcome measure(s): Serum leptin and insulin levels.
Result(s): Serum leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.649) and also with HOMA (r = 0.535). However, after controlling for body mass index in a partial correlation analysis, no significant correlation was found between serum leptin levels and HOMA or hyperinsulinemia. While lean patients with PCOS had a significant correlation between leptin concentrations and obesity parameters, they did not show any significant correlation with insulin resistance parameters.
Conclusion(s): Although leptin concentrations in women with PCOS correlate with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, this is related only to obesity.