Serum leptin in polycystic ovarian syndrome with reference to insulin level

OBJECTIVE(S) : To find out in a case control study whether leptin levels in PCOS patients are altered or not. METHOD(S) : In 19 obese and 16 non-obese polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and 10 controls we estimated body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, fasting serum glucose, insulin, HOMA score for insulin resistance, leptin, luteinising hormone (LH) follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and free testosterone levels. Statistical analysis was done with student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Serum leptin, fasting serum insulin, HOMA scores for insulin resistance were significantly higher in obese PCOS patients compared to non-obese PCOS patients and controls. LH, total testosterone and free testosterone levels were higher in both obese and non-obese PCOS patients compared to controls. Conclusion(S): High serum leptin levels observed in obese PCOS patients are related to obesity and not the pathogenesis.