Introduction: Hirsutism is defined as androgen- dependent excessive male- pattern hair growth. Hirsutism is often idiopathic or the consequence of  the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Insulin resistance is common in PCOS (specially obese patients), and, this association has been proved.However,  association between Insulin resistance and idiopathic hirsutism is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the assessment of  insulin resistance in idiopathic hirsutism, compared with healthy women and patients with PCOS.
Material and methods: This case-control study was performed among patients referring to the clinics of Imam Reza and Ghaem general  hospital, in 2011-2012.Age adjusted healthy controls were selected voluntarily. The study included three groups, patients with idiopathic hirsutism, PCOS and healthy women. Each group included 30 non-obese women. Insulin resistance was detected by using basal insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) in all the groups.
Results:  There were no significant difference in the  level of serum Insulin (P= 0/491), level of HOMA- IR score (P=0/470), prevalence of insulin resistance (P= 0/140) and prevalence of severe insulin resistance (P = 0/696) among three groups. After classification by body mass index (BMI
12≤'> 25, BMI
12>'> 25), there were also no significant difference in insulin resistance among three groups.
Conclusion: The study showed that prevalence of insulin resistance has not significant difference in idiopathic hirsutism, PCOS and healthy groups.