PCOS quintuples type 2 diabetes risk

A woman's chances of developing type 2 diabetes are five times greater if she has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), according to new research carried out by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.

A team led by Professor Helena Teede and Dr Anju Joham analysed a large-scale epidemiological study known as the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health, which revealed that PCSO sufferers have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if they are young and not overweight.

The study involved over 6,000 women aged between 25 and 28 years, including 500 with diagnosed PCOS, who were monitored for nine years.

They noticed that the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes was three to five times higher in women with PCOS yet - crucially - obesity, which is a key trigger for type 2 diabetes, was not an important trigger in women with the condition.

According to Professor Teede, the findings have "significant implications" for diabetes screening, as well as for the care of women with PCOS.

"Type 2 diabetes itself is preventable, as are diabetes complications, but only if people at risk of or who have diabetes are screened, aware and take preventative action," she explained.

"With the dramatic rise in diabetes, this research highlights the need for greater awareness and screening, especially in high risk groups including young women with PCOS."

Over the course of the study, the women studied began aged 25-28 in 2003, and were followed over nine years until age 34 to 37 years in 2012.

Professor Teede noted that these are the peak reproductive years, when undiagnosed diabetes could have significant risks for both mothers and babies.

"Our research found that there is a clear link between PCOS and diabetes. However, PCOS is not a well-recognised diabetes risk factor and many young women with the condition don't get regular diabetes screening, even pre-pregnancy," she commented.

"We clearly need more research in PCOS, with better screening, prevention and treatments."