Abstract
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of the chronic anovulation including 5-10% of women in reproductive ages. The association between increased insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries is now well-recognized. This clinical association of hyperinsulinemia and anovulatory hyperandrogenism is commonly found throughout the world. Insulin resistance is only one component of a condition which is now called metabolic syndrome. In different studies, the prevalence of this syndrome outbreak is reported 7-43% .This study was performed to determine the prevalence and predictors of the metabolic syndrome in PCOS in southwest of Iran.

Materials and Methods: The study included 53 women were diagnosed with PCOS, according to the Rotterdam criteria. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the criteria of the American National Cholesterol Panel (ATP-III criteria). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was studied through measuring the following items: fasting glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference. We considered the patients as a metabolic syndrome group who has 3 or more cases.

Results: Based on this research, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Ahwaz women was estimated 13.5%, the prevalence for individual components comprising the metabolic syndrome were: fasting glucose concentrations greater than or equals to 110 mg/dl in 4 patient(7.7%), hypertension in 4 patients (7.7%), BMI higher or equals to 30 in 6 patients (11.5%), waist circumference greater than or equals to 88 cm in 14 patients (34.1%), HDL less than 40 mg/dl in 12 patients (24%), triglyceride greater than or equals to 150 mg/dl in 5 patients(9.4%), IFG in 17 patients (32.7%), diabetes in 3 patients (5.8%) and dislipidemia in 31 patients(60%).

Conclusions: Our results show the metabolic syndrome and its elements occur frequently in women with PCOS, particularly those with the classic picture of the syndrome. The latter combination places them at risk for cardiovascular diseases and screening for those disturbances is required in patients with PCOS.

Key words: BMI, HDL, IFG, PCOS, Metabolic syndrome