LAUSR

Recent compelling evidence has shown that neck circumference (NC), as a reliable and convenient anthropometric index, has better predictive values of hyperuricemia and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with traditional anthropometric measurements. Since both PCOS and metabolic syndrome (MetS) share similar characteristics and affect long-term health of women, we conducted this cross-sectional study to explore the correlation of NC with MetS and metabolic risk factors. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glycemic and lipid profile of 633 PCOS and 2,172 non-PCOS women from January 2018 to June 2021 were analyzed. The results showed that the prevalence of MetS was 28.0% and 9.4% in PCOS and non-PCOS women, respectively. The prevalence of MetS, hypertention, obesity, central obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidaemia was also significantly higher in both PCOS and non-PCOS women with larger NC. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that PCOS women in the highest quartile of NC had the highest prevalence of MetS (RR = 9.94, 95%CI: 2.41-40.99) after adjusting for confounding factors, while the association between NC and MetS was much attenuated after adjusting for confounding factors in non-PCOS women. Furthermore, we also identified that the optimal NC cutoff value was 33 cm in PCOS women for the prediction of MetS. The potential mechanism could be attributed to the increased release of adipokines and excessive free fatty acids release from subcutaneous adipose tissue, which consequently precipitate the development of MetS. In conclusion, NC was found to be positively and independently correlated with the prevalence of MetS.