THE CORRELATION BETWEEN HEMOGLOBIN A1C (HbA1c) AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN PCOS WOMEN AND CONTROL

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the correlation between insulin resistance and HbA1c in women with (PCOS) and normal controls.

Study Design: A case-control descriptive.

Place and Duration of Study: January 2024–March 2026 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Shaikh Zayed Women Hospital CMC Larkana Institute of Biochemistry University of Sindh Jamshoro.

Methods: 216 PCOS patients and 216 healthy controls were among the 432 women who were enrolled. Participants were chosen using the Rotterdam criteria. Anthropometric measurements menstrual history infertility status clinical history and hyperandrogenism symptoms were all documented. HbA1c HOMA-IR fasting insulin and fasting blood sugar were among the metabolic parameters that were assessed. Data was analyzed into Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. The P-value was (0.05) which was statistically significance.

Results: PCOS patients had a mean age of 29. 28 years and a mean BMI of 27. 65 kg/m² while controls had a mean age of 30. 86 years and a mean BMI of 22. 77 kg/m². Of those with PCOS 62. 9% had infertility. Hirsutism acne and irregular menstruation were common clinical features. The PCOS groups mean HbA1c levels were significantly higher (5. 7 ± 0. 8 percent) than the controls (3. 1 ± 0. 5 percent) (p = 0. 004). Insulin resistance (IR) was also significantly higher in PCOS ladies with a HOMA-IR of 3. 28 (0. 43–5. 94) as opposed to 0. 68 (0. 08–1. 53) in controls.

Conclusion: Obesity irregular menstruation high HbA1c and increased insulin resistance are all linked to PCOS. For identifying women who are at risk of metabolic and cardiovascular problems HbA1c may be a straightforward and affordable biomarker. It is advised to use multidisciplinary management and early screening.