Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the role of C-peptide as a biological marker of cardiometabolic risk in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 385 PCOS patients and 240 normal cycling women. Anthropometric and clinical variables were taken at first visit. Fasting C-peptide, glucose, lipids, and hormone measurements were performed. Simple and multiple correlations between C-peptide and other variables associated with dysmetabolism and cardiovascular disease were examined. RESULTS: C-peptide was well correlated with several anthropometric, metabolic, and endocrine parameters. In PCOS patients, stepwise multiple regression including C-peptide as the criterion variable and other predictors of cardiovascular disease risk provided a significant model in which the fasting C-peptide/glucose ratio, glucose, body weight, and free estrogen index (FEI) were retained (adjusted R(2) = 0.988, F = 7.161, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: C-peptide levels alone or combined with C-peptide/glucose ratio, glucose, body weight, and FEI provided a significant model to identify PCOS patients with higher risk of future cardiometabolic diseases.