Iranian Journal of

Background: Considering the limited population-based studies and lack of a general consensus on the most sensitive and precise predictor of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the present study was performed with the aim of comparing the validity of various available adiposity markers in these patients. Methods: In the national and population-based study of PCOS prevalence, 1772 girls and women, aged 18-45 years, were assessed for the diagnosis of PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria. Waist circumference, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index (VAI) and homeostasis assessment model- insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on Joint Interim Statement (JIS)criteria and HOMA-IR&ge 2.3 was considered as the resistance cutoff point. Results: In among different markers, VAI served as the best predictor of insulin resistance (sensitivity %60, positive predictive value %83) and metabolic syndrome (sensitivity %97, positive predictive value %95). ROC curve showed the cutoff points of 1.8 and 3.1 as the optimum values for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome prediction, respectively. Conclusion: It seems that visceral adiposity index is a reliable marker for the screening of cardiometabolic disorders in the women with PCOS.