Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods137 women with PCOS and 116 age-matched normal women were enrolled in this study. Physical examination included height, weight and waist circumference. All subjects underwent a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and fasting serum insulin and lipids were measured. ResultsThe percentage of overweight/obesity and central obesity in subjects with PCOS were 41.6% and 45.4% respectively. The percentage of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in subjects with PCOS were 26.3%, 2.3% and 4.5% respectively. 58.6% subjects with PCOS had dyslipidemia,which was characterized mainly by high TG(23.3%) and low HDL-C(46.6%). 49.6% subjects with PCOS had IR. All percentages were significantly higher in women with PCOS than in control subjects (P<0.05).The subgroup analysis showed that the percentage of dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and IR in overweight/obese subjects with PCOS were significantly higher than in normal weight subjects with PCOS(P<0.05). ConclusionsCompared with age-matched control subjects, the PCOS subjects are accompanied by a higher prevalence of central obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and IR, which increases significantly along with BMI increasing.