Key result
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS was 43%, nearly 2-fold higher than in age-matched women in the general population.
Why the study?
Is metabolic syndrome more prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to the general population?
Observational (n=106)
No
Is metabolic syndrome more prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to the general population?
Effect estimate: nearly 2-fold higher
Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent (43%) in women with PCOS, nearly twice that of the general population, highlighting their increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Supports metabolic screening in PCOS; leaves open whether prevalence drives excess CVD events or warrants intervention.
Insulin resistance and consequent hyperinsulinemia are characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance also is a component of the metabolic syndrome (MBS). The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of women with PCOS to determine whether MBS is more prevalent in these women than in the general population and whether it reflects more severe insulin resistance. Participants were 106 women seen at an endocrinology clinic in a 3-year period. MBS was diagnosed in 46 of them and was absent in 60. The prevalence of MBS in women with PCOS was 43%, nearly 2-fold higher than in age-matched women in the general population (Fig. 1). The most frequent characteristics of MBS were a high body mass index (BMI) and a low serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; the least frequent was a high fasting serum glucose level. Women with MBS had significantly higher BMI values than those lacking this condition. The 2 groups were similar in age and menarche. Those with MBS tended to present more often with hirsutism. Acanthosis nigricans also was more prevalent in women with MBS. Women with both disorders were more hyperandrogenic than those with PCOS alone and had lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).Fig. 1: Age-specified prevalence of the MBS among 106 women with PCOS compared with the prevalence of MBS among a representative sample of U.S. Women (NHANES III, 1988–1994). Results are expressed as percentage (±SE). ∗, The prevalence of MBS was different across 3 age groups of women with PCOS (Cochran-Armitage trend test, P < 0.001). Reproduced with permission. J Clin Endocrinol 2005;90:1929–1995. Copyright © 2005, The Endocrine Society. All rights reserved.MBS is frequently found in women with PCOS who, for this reason, are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The relatively severe hyperandrogenemia, increased prevalence of acanthosis nigricans, and low serum SHBG found in women having both PCOS and MBS all may reflect more severe insulin resistance.
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Apridonidze et al. (2005) conducted an observational in Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n=106). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) vs. Age-matched women in the general population was evaluated on Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MBS) (nearly 2-fold higher). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS was 43%, nearly 2-fold higher than in age-matched women in the general population.
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