Polycystic ovary syndrome and atherosclerosis in premenopausal women
Keywords:
polycystic ovarian syndrome, premenopausal women, atherosclerosisAbstract
ntroduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, characterized by many factors that may increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
Aim: The aim of this systematic review is to highlight the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and atherosclerosis in premenopausal women.
Material and method: A systematic literature review was performed in the online database PubMed. The following keywords were used in combination: <<polycystic ovarian syndrome>>, <<premenopausal women>>, <<atherosclerosis>>. Selection criteria included: a) articles published in the English language, b) human studies and specifically premenopausal women, c) articles published from 2010 onwards.
Results: The literature search yielded n=312 studies and finally n=13 studies were included. The following markers of atherosclerosis were studied in relation to the syndrome: carotid intima-media thickness, coronary artery calcification, cardio-ankle vascular index, abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque, radial artery intima media thickness, brachial artery flow mediated dilation, markers of endothelial inflammation. A statistically significant association appeared to exist between women with the syndrome and the markers: carotid intima-media thickness, coronary artery calcification, brachial artery flow mediated dilation and markers of endothelial inflammation. Most of the included studies concerned the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness, and the majority of them showed that women with the syndrome show higher values of this index compared to healthy women, which suggests the existence of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Conclusions: Young women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis compared to healthy women. Therefore, early diagnosis and recognition of the accompanying cardiovascular disease risk factors have a significant impact on the overall health of these women.
