High plasma viscosity may be a predictor of cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: We aimed to evaluate plasma viscosity in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and detect its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 96 newly diagnosed women with PCOS aged between 17 and 30 years, along with 67 age, sex, and body mass index matched healthy control subjects were recruited in the study. The diagnosis of PCOS was based on revised 2003 Rotterdam consensus criteria. Plasma viscosity, hormonal and metabolic parameters were measured. Plasma viscosity was measured using a Brookfield DV-II Pro viscometer at 37°C. Results: Total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS (P0 < 0.05). They had significantly higher fasting insulin, triglyceride levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( P < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels. There was a positive correlation between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen ( r = 0.223, P < 0.05) Negative correlation was observed between plasma viscosity and serum DHEA-S levels (r = −0.211, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma viscosity is an important hemorheologic variable and directly determines the blood flow at the microcirculatory level. High plasma viscosity indicates increased resistance to blood flow at the tissue level. Because of direct contact of endothelial cells to plasma, high plasma viscosity seems to associate with endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we clearly demonstrated that plasma viscosity was elevated in patients with PCOS, probably indicating that they had higher cardiovascular risk.