ASSOCIATION OF SERUM VITAMIN B12 LEVEL AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN NON-OBESE ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

NECATI HANCERLIOGULLARI, SELEN YAMAN, AYTEKIN TOKMAK

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

Introduction: The goals of this study are to compare the serum vitamin B12 (VitB12), homocysteine (HCY) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels of adolescent patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with those of the control group, and to determine whether there is a relationship between lower serum VitB12 levels and insulin resistance.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective case-control study conducted at a tertiary level maternity hospital. A total of 160 (14-23 years) non-obese (18-29.9 BMI) adolescents with PCOS (n=80) and controls without PCOS (n=80) were enrolled in the study. Serum VitB12, folate, ferritin, HCY and HOMA-IR levels were determined at the time of study enrollment in all patients.

Results: Compared to the control group, non-obese girls with PCOS had significantly higher HOMA-IR, free testosterone, HCY, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and waist-to-hip ratios (all P<0.05). Serum VitB12 concentrations were lower, while HCY concentrations were higher in adolescent girls with PCOS when compared to controls. Serum ferritin and folate levels were not statisti- cally significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was observed between VitB12, HCY and HOMA-IR values.

Conclusion: Serum VitB12 levels are lower in adolescent PCOS. However, there was no significant relationship between vitB12, insulin resistance and serum HCY levels. This may be due to the absence of clinical and laboratory findings of VitB12 deficiency in the young and non-obese patient group. In light of the long-term adverse metabolic and cardiovascular effects of VitB12 deficiency in these patients, closer follow-up and early VitB12 supplementation may be necessary.