title: The polycystic ovary syndrome associated with morbid obesity may resolve after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with obesity. However, there are very few data about PCOS in morbid obesity, especially with regard to its evolution after bariatric surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of PCOS to the sustained and marked weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery in morbidly obese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a longitudinal prospective nonrandomized evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed at an academic hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six consecutive premenopausal women submitted to bariatric surgery were screened for PCOS, which was present in 17.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bariatric surgery was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hyperandrogenism, menstrual function, and insulin resistance were estimated before and at least 6 months after bariatric surgery in 12 patients with PCOS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight loss (41 +/- 9 kg after 12 +/- 5 months) was paralleled by decreases in the hirsutism score (from 9.5 +/- 6.8 to 4.9 +/- 4.2; P = 0.001), total (69 +/- 32 to 42 +/- 19 ng/dl; P < 0.02) and free testosterone (from 1.6 +/- 0.7 to 0.6 +/- 0.3 ng/dl; P < 0.005), androstenedione (from 4.1 +/- 1.5 to 3.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml; P < 0.02), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (from 2000 +/- 1125 to 1353 +/- 759 ng/ml; P < 0.005); amelioration of insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment (from 6.0 +/- 3.0 to 1.6 +/- 1.0; P < 0.001); and restoration of regular menstrual cycles and/or ovulation in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PCOS is a frequent finding in women with morbid obesity and may resolve after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid E-28034, Spain. hescobarm.hrc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Héctor F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Escobar-Morreale
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Botella-Carretero
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Blasco
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: San Millán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D015431:Weight Loss