BACKGROUND: To investigate the difference in the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) based on body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Ninety anovulatory PCOS women were divided into two subgroups based on treatment response: women who ovulated with CC (CC responders, n = 49) and those who did not ovulate with CC (CC nonresponders, n = 41). Baseline characteristics included age, age at menarche, height, weight and body mass index [BMI; weight/(height)2]. Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and the ratio of trunk fat to leg fat mass amount (trunk-leg fat ratio) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: Age, age at menarche and height did not differ between the two groups. However, trunk-leg fat ratio in CC responders (0.9 +/- 0.4) was significantly lower than that in CC nonresponders (1.3 +/- 0.4) (p < 0.001). Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and BMI were also lower in CC responders (p < 0.01). On multiple regression analysis, however, trunk-leg fat ratio proved to be a superior predictor of CC responder to percentage of body fat, BMI or body fat mass (standardized regression coefficient > or = 0.510; t-values > or = 3.432; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Response to CC in anovulatory PCOS women differs with body fat distribution.
BACKGROUND: To investigate the difference in the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) based on body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Ninety anovulatory PCOS women were divided into two subgroups based on treatment response: women who ovulated with CC (CC responders, n = 49) and those who did not ovulate with CC (CC nonresponders, n = 41). Baseline characteristics included age, age at menarche, height, weight and body mass index [BMI; weight/(height)2]. Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and the ratio of trunk fat to leg fat mass amount (trunk-leg fat ratio) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: Age, age at menarche and height did not differ between the two groups. However, trunk-leg fat ratio in CC responders (0.9 +/- 0.4) was significantly lower than that in CC nonresponders (1.3 +/- 0.4) (p < 0.001). Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and BMI were also lower in CC responders (p < 0.01). On multiple regression analysis, however, trunk-leg fat ratio proved to be a superior predictor of CC responder to percentage of body fat, BMI or body fat mass (standardized regression coefficient > or = 0.510; t-values > or = 3.432; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Response to CC in anovulatory PCOS women differs with body fat distribution.