Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy affecting 6–10% of reproductive aged women. In young women with PCOS, multiple risk factors for cardio vascular disease (CVD) including dyslipidemia may be found and prevention is needed.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Algerian PCOS women.

Materials: A prospective study was performed (since 2004–2008) on 181 PCOS and 90 age and BMI matched controls.

The data of anthropometric measurements, oral glucose tolerance test, serum lipids levels, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were collected from PCOS and controls women.

Results: PCOS women have higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (59.6 vs 29% P=0.001) and low HDL cholesterol (12.3 vs 6.8% P=0.002) than their counterparts. At the same time the mean level of triglyceridemia was higher (1.04±0.08 mmol/l vs 0.91±0.04 P=0.02) and the mean level of HDL.C was lower (1.28±0.04 vs 1.52±0.004, P=0.01) than the controls.

The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia increased with BMI respectively 5.9, 14.6, and 16.9% for BMI <25; BMI 25–30 BMI more than 30 P=0.002. The prevalence of low level of HDL-C also increased with BMI respectively 45.5, 56.09 and 70.4% for BMI <25; BMI 25–30 BMI more than 30 P=0.01.

Conclusion: In our study the prevalence of dyslipidemia was found to be high in PCOS women. PCOS should be screened for dyslipidemia. Diet, physical exercise and if necessary lipid lowering medication should be used to normalize dyslipidemia.

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.