Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrinopathy among females in reproductive ages. PCOS is not accepted only a reproductive pathology but also accepted as a metabolic problem. Prolonged QT_c interval showing ventricular repolarization is a major risk factor for the arrhythmias, coronary heart diseases, and sudden cardiac death. Although hyperinsulinism and hyperandrogenism is known as common manifestations of PCOS, there is conflicting data about the QT interval and QT dispersion that are showing the ventricular repolarization. Considering these controversial data, we aimed to investigate the QTc interval and QT dispersion in Turkish women with PCOS.

Patients and methods: Thirty-one patients diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome were taken in to study. PCOS was diagnosed based on revised 2003 Rotterdam consensus criteria.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups according to age, BMI, heart rate and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Waist circumference was statistically higher in patients with PCOS compared to healthy controls. Patients had higher serum triglyceride (TG) and lower HDL-cholesterol levels compared to control group. QTc interval was significantly prolonged in patients compared to the control group. There was no correlation between serum total testosterone levels, DHEA-S levels or E2 levels. Additionally, QTc dispersion was significantly prolonged in patients compared to control group.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that besides the hyperandrogenic state affecting the lipid profile, arterial blood pressure and obesity, insulin resistance is the key factor determining the cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS even in lean subjects.