Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition affecting 5–10% of reproductive -age female population.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features, metabolic and hormonal profile in obese and overweight women with PCOS.

Patients and method: A total of 102 women (age 31.28±6.05 and BMI 33.02±5.93) with PCOS and 110 (age 32.35±4.96 and BMI 33.05±5.87) matched controls were investigated. In all patients the basal glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, testosterone, FSH and LH were determined in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Also, the blood pressure, presence of acanthosis nigricans and smoking were recorded in both groups.

Results: PCOS patients compared with controls had increased levels of: total cholesterol (214±40.08 mg/dl PCOS vs 206.61±38.72 mg/dl non-PCOS P<0.05), 2 h OGTT glucose (122.21±36 mg/dl PCOS vs 112.06±24.30 mg/dl non-PCOS P<0.05), LH (8.37±4.56 mUI/ml PCOS vs 4.14±2.84 mUI/ml non-PCOS P<0.001), testosterone (1.65±1.14 ng/dl PCOS vs 0.34±0.32 ng/ml non-PCOS P<0.001). A significant difference existed also for high blood pressure (20% PCOS vs 13% non-PCOS P<0.05) and acanthosis nigricans (16% PCOS vs 5% non-PCOS P<0.001). No difference was mentioned regarding smoking between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups.

Conclusions: Comparing the two groups there is a significant difference regarding the incidence of hypertension and achantosis nigricans. Even the values of total cholesterol and 2 h OGTT glucose are in the normal range, the differences between are statistical significant pointing out the necessity of screening for glucose intolerance and cardiovascular risk factors in all PCOS patients.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.