Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Greek Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Its Relationship with Body Mass Index

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition affecting 6–18% of adolescents and is strongly associated with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, enhancing the risk of atherosclerosis. Thirty-two adolescents with newly diagnosed PCOS were evaluated for lipid profile disorders, insulin resistance, inflammation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and subclinical atherosclerosis through measurements of carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT). The relationships of the above markers with increased body mass index and abdominal obesity were investigated. Twenty-three adolescents (72%) were overweight (OW) or obese (OB). The OW/OB group had significantly higher insulin, HOMA-IR, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) levels; and lower glucose-per-insulin ratios and HDL-C levels compared to the healthy weight group. The cIMT and small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) levels did not differ between the two groups. Similarly, cIMT and sdLDL-C levels did not differ between PCOS-adolescents and healthy controls. CIMT was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and waist circumference per height ratio. In conclusion, OW/OB PCOS-adolescents have a cluster of adverse factors predisposing them to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, early cardiovascular risk assessment, as well as timely and targeted interventions, are necessary for prevention.

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Evidence for an Association between Metabolic Cardiovascular Syndrome and Coronary and Aortic Calcification among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2003-032237 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 89 (11) ◽

pp. 5454-5461 ◽

Cited By ~ 162

Author(s):

E. O. Talbott ◽

J. V. Zborowski ◽

J. R. Rager ◽

M. Y. Boudreaux ◽

D. A. Edmundowicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Body Mass ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Electron Beam Tomography ◽

Ovary Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Metabolic Cardiovascular Syndrome

Abstract Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit an adverse cardiovascular risk profile, characteristic of the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome (MCS). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronary artery (CAC) and aortic (AC) calcification among middle-aged PCOS cases and controls and to explore the relationship among calcification, MCS, and other cardiovascular risk factors assessed 9 yr earlier. This was a prospective study of 61 PCOS cases and 85 similarly aged controls screened in 1993–1994 for risk factors and reevaluated in 2001–2002. The main outcome measures were CAC and AC, measured by electron beam tomography. Women with PCOS had a higher prevalence of CAC (45.9% vs. 30.6%) and AC (68.9% vs. 55.3%) than controls. After adjustment for age and body mass index, PCOS was a significant predictor of CAC (odds ratio = 2.31; P = 0.049). PCOS subjects were also 4.4 times more likely to meet the criteria for MCS than controls. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin appeared to mediate the PCOS influence on CAC. Interestingly, total testosterone was an independent risk factor for AC in all subjects after controlling for PCOS, age, and body mass index (P = 0.034). We conclude that women with PCOS are at increased risk of MCS and demonstrate increased CAC and AC compared with controls. Components of MCS mediate the association between PCOS and CAC, independently of obesity.

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