Association between Insulin Resistance and Breast Parenchyma in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aims of this study were to assess 1. whether there was an association between a polycystic ovary (PCO) and cystic breast disease based on ultrasound findings or not, 2. to evaluate the relationships between insulin resistance and breast parancime and hormone levels.
Material and Method: The study group consisted of 60 women who were diagnosed as PCOS and the control group was consisted of 45 women who had neither clinical nor ultrasound finding of PCOS. Both the groups underwent breast ultrasound (Senographe 600 T (General Electric)) examination. Breast parancim was defined as; I. fibroglandular density, II.  fibroglandular, fatty breast, III. fatty breast. All subjects were evaluated for demographic and biochemical examinations. Measurements of insulin resistance were obtained using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR).
Results: At examination of breast in PCOS group, 36 fibroglandular, 18 fibroglandular/fatty and 6 fatty were found. However, 30 fibroglandular, 11 fibroglandular/fatty and 4 fatty breast were examined in control. There were 2 patients with fibrocystic breast disease and 2 patients with fibroadenoma in PCOS group. In control, 2 patients with fibrocystic breast disease were examined. In PCOS, mean levels of HOMA-IR were found 1.8±0.9, 2.0±0.1, 3.2±0.3 in patients with fibroglandular, and  fibroglandular/fatty breast, and fatty breast, respectively. Mean levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in PCOS than control.
Discussion: Breast cystic disease does not increase in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, polycystic ovary syndrome with fatty breast has high HOMA levels.