Context. Insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes are common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been causally linked to metabolic dysfunction. We studied women with and without PCOS to determine the extent to which OSA is responsible for insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in PCOS.

Methods. In a prospective design, 52 women with PCOS and 21 women without PCOS of similar age and BMI had an overnight polysomnogram and a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test.

Results. 29 (56%) women with PCOS had OSA compared to 4 (19%) controls (adjusted odds ratio 7.1; 95% CI, 1.7 to 45.7; p=0.01). PCOS women with OSA were more insulin resistant than those without OSA (HOMA index 5.7 ± 0.4 vs 3.5 ± 0.4; p=0.006) after controlling for age, BMI and ethnicity. IGT was found in 16 of 29 (55%) PCOS women with OSA and only 6 of 23 (26%) of those without OSA (unadjusted p=0.049). Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance were highly correlated with the presence and severity of OSA. Among PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance, the presence of OSA was associated with a nearly 2-fold higher fasting insulin level and HOMA index. The severity of OSA was a highly significant predictor of the fasting concentrations of glucose and insulin as well as the 2-h glucose concentration and HOMA index.

Conclusions. OSA is a highly prevalent and important determinant of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes in PCOS.