Metabolic and cardiovascular changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between QTc interval and cardiovascular risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Study group included 119 PCOS women (age: 32.2+/-5.2 years) and the control group 64 age-matched healthy women; they all underwent QT interval measurement, and plasma levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), endothelin-1 (ET1), insulin, and testosterone determinations.


RESULTS
In PCOS women hsCRP (2.35+/-2.14 mg/L vs. 1.01+/-1.28 mg/L; P=0.04), ET1 (23.6+/-10.3 ng/L vs. 7.7+/-15.9 ng/L; P=0.01), and insulin (16.5+/-7.8 mIU/L vs. 11.8+/-10.7 mIU/L; P=0.03) levels were significantly higher, and QTc interval significantly shorter than in controls (401+/-61 ms vs. 467+/-61 ms; P=0.007). In 67 (56%) PCOS patients with a short QTc interval (<400 ms), plasma testosterone levels were significantly higher than in PCOS women with normal QTc interval (2.3+/-2.1 nmol/L vs. 1.4+/-1.7 nmol/L; P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome increased testosterone levels may attenuate the effects of coronary risk factors.
Meden-Vrtovec
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. helena.meden@kclj.si
Vrtovec
B
B
Osredkar
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D013739:Testosterone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein