Greater Arterial Stiffness in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Is an Obesity- But Not a PCOS-Associated Phenomenon
Key result
Obesity, rather than PCOS itself, was significantly associated with increased arterial stiffness, including reduced femoral distensibility (β -0.354; 95% CI -0.614 to -0.094).
Why the study?
Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or obesity independently associated with arterial stiffness in women?
Population
70 women, including 31 obese (18 with PCOS) and 39 lean (22 with PCOS)
Comparison
Presence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and/or… vs Absence of PCOS and/or lean body habitus
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Supports obesity management to address arterial stiffness in PCOS; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective studies before practice change.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=70)
Structured PICO
Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or obesity independently associated with arterial stiffness in women?
P
Population
70 women (31 obese, 39 lean, with and without PCOS) evaluated for the independent associations of obesity and PCOS with arterial stiffness.
E
Exposure
Presence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and/or obesity
C
Comparator
Absence of PCOS and/or lean body habitus
O
Outcome
Estimates of arterial stiffness obtained by ultrasonography (distensibility and compliance of carotid, femoral, and brachial arteries; carotid elastic modulus; and intima-media thickness) and pulse wave transit time analyses (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and aortic augmentation index)surrogate
Main Result
Effect estimate: β -0.354 (95% CI -0.614 to -0.094)
In young women with PCOS, central obesity rather than PCOS itself is associated with increased arterial stiffness, highlighting the importance of central fat mass reduction for cardiovascular risk reduction.
Cite This Study
Ketel et al. (2010) conducted a cross-sectional in Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity (n=70). Obesity vs. Lean (absence of obesity) was evaluated on Femoral distensibility coefficient (β -0.354, 95% CI -0.614 to -0.094). Obesity, rather than PCOS itself, was significantly associated with increased arterial stiffness, including reduced femoral distensibility (β -0.354; 95% CI -0.614 to -0.094).