Metabolic syndrome in Mediterranean women with polycystic ovary syndrome: when and how to predict its onset

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology 2012-04, Vol.28 (4), p.264-268
• Main Authors: Espinós-Gómez, Juan J., Rodriguez-Espinosa, J., Ordóñez-Llanos, J., Calaf-Alsina, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; cardiovascular risk; Female; Humans; Lipoproteins, HDL - blood; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - blood; Metabolic Syndrome - complications; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Obesity - blood; Obesity - complications; polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - complications; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Triglycerides - blood; Waist Circumference; Women; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2011.613968

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The metabolic disorders are not universal and may vary with race, age and phenotype. Our purpose was to determine the clinical and biochemical characteristics of Mediterranean PCOS women with MetS, compare them with non-MetS PCOS patients, and assess the ability of clinical data and biochemical tests to predict these abnormalities within our population. A total of 218 subjects, 196 PCOS women and 22 controls, undergo a physical examination and laboratory evaluation for a diagnosis of MetS. MetS was categorized according to NCEP ATP III guidelines. PCOS patients were analyzed separately and compared in three subgroups: three or more MetS criteria, two criteria, one or no criteria. The overall prevalence of MetS was 21.4%. Women with MetS had higher glucose (G) levels than PCOS women with two criteria (5.7 ± 1.5 vs 5 ± 0.4, p