Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - ReadingSample

In addition to its effects on reproductive health, it is now well recognized that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder, characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity which leads to an excess lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. PCOS patients are often obese, hypertensive, dyslipidemic and insulin resistant; they have obstructive sleep apnea and have been reported to have higher aldosterone levels in comparison to normal healthy controls. These are all components of an adverse cardiovascular risk profile. Many studies exploring subclinical atherosclerosis using different methods (flowmediated dilatation, intima media thickness, arterial stiffness, coronary artery calcification) as well as assessing circulating cardiovascular risk markers, point toward an increased cardiovascular risk and early atherogenesis in PCOS. The risk and early features of subclinical atherosclerosis can be reversed by nonmedical (normalization of weight, healthy lifestyle) and medical (metformin, thiazolidinediones, spironolactone, and statins) interventions. However, the longterm risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as the clinical significance of different interventions still need to be properly addressed in a large prospective study. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel Besides the clinical features of oligomenorrhea, hirsutism and infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients are often insulin resistant (IR), obese, they have arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, an increased prothrombotic state, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or frank type 2 diabetes (T2D). High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS is assumed to be associated with accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since PCOS is highly prevalent in female population of the reproductive age accounting for 7– 10% when applying National Institutes of Health 1990 criteria or even 15– 20% by Rotterdam 2003 criteria, it represents a potential health The first two authors should be regarded as joint first authors.