association between steroid hormones and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objectives: women with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) are more prone to adverse outcomes, including hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. this study examined the potential link between abnormal steroid hormone levels and insulin resistance (ir) in reproductive-aged women with pcos.methods: this study involved 61 participants: a case group of 33 patients with confirmed pcos based on rotterdam criteria and a control group of 28 healthy individuals without pcos. steroid hormone levels, ir indices, metabolic markers, and demographic characteristics of participants were measured.results: the results showed significant differences in testosterone (p=0.018), dihydrotestosterone (dht) (p=0.009), and androstenedione (p=0.002) levels between the two groups. insulin levels and homa-ir were significantly higher in the patients (p=0.034 and 0.025, respectively). significant correlations were found between androstenedione and insulin (p=0.021), fasting blood sugar, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (homa-ir) levels (p=0.001), as well as between dht level and ir indices (p=0.03). additionally, patients with pcos had higher diastolic blood pressure and lower levels of t4.conclusion: the findings of this study showed higher androgen levels in pcos patients and a significant correlation between dht and androstenedione levels with ir indices in pcos patients, which establishes a remarkable connection between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in pcos.