Endocrine Abstracts

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have features of the metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, suggesting an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with a polycystic ovarian sydrome (PCOS).

Material

We conducted a retrospective study including 51 patients with secondary hirsutism. The PCOS was retained in 28 patients after elimination of other causes (Rotterdam2003) and the definition of metabolic syndrome was based on the following criteria of IDF 2005.

Results

The mean age of patients was 28 years, hirsutism was mild in 49%, moderate in 42% and severe in 9% of the cases, it was associated with cycle disorders in 60% of cases. Mean testosteronemia level was 0.92 ng/ml. Diabetes was found in 21.6% of our patients, arterial hypertension in 17.6% of them, waist circumference was b 80 cm in 66.7%, triglycerid levels were b 1.5 g/l in 12%, HDLc < 0.5 g/l in 69% of the cases. The metabolic syndrome was retained in 40.6% of our patients according to the IDF criteria. A low-calorie diet and metformin were instituted in 24.5% of our patients. Cyproterone acetate was added in 61% of the cases. The evolution was marked by weight loss and improvement in their metabolic profile.

Conclusion

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with a PCOS was high, hence the importance of screening and treatment in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.