Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women with severe obesity - Effects of a structured weight loss programme.

Existing data are contradictory on the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in women with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m² ), and there are few studies investigating the effect of weight reduction in women with severe obesity and PCOS. The aim was to study the prevalence of PCOS and MetS among women with severe obesity and to evaluate the effect of a 12-months weight loss programme on the prevalence of PCOS and MetS.

In total, 298 women with severe obesity were enrolled whereof 246 women had complete screening data for PCOS and MetS before commencing treatment. Weight loss intervention included very low energy diet. At 12-months follow-up, 72 women with complete data remained and were re-examined with baseline parameters.At baseline, the prevalence of PCOS was 25.6% and in this group, the prevalence of MetS was 43.4% in PCOS vs 43.3% in controls (ns). At 12-months follow-up, weight loss in women with PCOS was 12.3 ± 10.7 kg (P < .001) and in non-PCOS 13.9 ± 13.4 kg (P < .001) with no between group difference. Women without PCOS decreased in total bone mass.Polycystic ovary syndrome occurs in one out of four women with severe obesity. The prevalence of MetS does not differ between women with or without PCOS with severe obesity. There was a significant weight loss in both groups but no difference between groups regarding change in metabolic parameters.