Study of early atherosclerotic markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may represent a large underappreciated segment of female population who is at increased cardiovascular risk because of the presence of cluster of metabolic abnormalities. The aim of our study was to assess atherosclerotic risk factors in women with PCOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 50 women with PCOS and 50 age and weight-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Endothelial dysfunction by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP), and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were measured in both cases and control groups.

RESULTS: The mean age of women with PCOS was 26.82 ± 3.26 years and Body-mass index (BMI) of 26.2 ± 4.8 kg/ m(2). Thirty-six (72%) patients were overweight or obese,54% had central obesity and 12% had impaired glucose tolerance. Among the markers of atherosclerosis, hsCRP levels were nonsignificantly higher in patients with PCOS than in controls. The FMD was 12.18 ± 2.3% vs 8.3 ± 2.23% in patients with PCOS and controls respectively (P=0.01). CIMT was significantly different in two study groups (0.68 ± 0.11 in PCOS vs 0.52 ± 0.02 in normal subjects, (P=0.01). FMD had significant negative correlation with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r = -0.32, P=0.02) and hs CRP (r = -0.37, P=0.04) while hs CRP was correlated with BMI (r = 0.54, P=0.005), HOMA (r = 0.38, P=0.02) and FMD (r = -0.33, P=0.01). CIMT was significantly different in women with PCOS and control subjects, and it had significant correlation with age (r = 0.42, P=0.03), BMI (r = 0.36, P=0.01), waist circumference (r = 0.52, P=0.001) and HOMA (r = 0.31, P=0.04).

CONCLUSION: Women with PCOS definitely have increased risk for future cardiovascular events. Clinicians should consider early cardiovascular screening and interventions to control all modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.