Disturbed stress responses in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
We analyzed the neuroendocrine and immune cell responses to psychosocial stress in PCOS patients compared to BMI-matched healthy controls.


METHODS
Responses to public speaking stress were analyzed in 32 PCOS patients and 32 BMI-matched healthy controls. At baseline, during, and 10- and 45-min after stress, state anxiety, cardiovascular responses, cortisol, ACTH, as well as circulating leukocyte subpopulations were analyzed, together with hsCRP and serum IL-6 concentrations.


RESULTS
In response to public speaking stress, both groups showed significant but comparable increases in state anxiety, and blood pressure (all p<0.001; time effects). The ACTH and cortisol stress responses were significantly enhanced in PCOS (both p<0.05; interaction effect). In addition, heart rate was significantly higher in PCOS (p<0.05; group effect). PCOS patients displayed a reduced upregulation of IL-6 levels in response to stress (p<0.05; interaction effect). Baseline levels of circulating leukocyte subpopulations, IL-6 and hsCRP concentrations did not differ between BMI-matched controls and PCOS patients. PCOS patients were characterized by markedly increased psychological distress.


CONCLUSIONS
PCOS patients showed enhanced HPA-axis and heart rate reactivity as well as a reduced upregulation of IL-6 in response to stress. The altered stress reactivity in PCOS patients may constitute a link between depression, overweight, and the cardiovascular and diabetes risks associated with the diagnosis.
Benson
S
S
Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Arck
P C
PC
Tan
S
S
Hahn
S
S
Mann
K
K
Rifaie
N
N
Janssen
O E
OE
Schedlowski
M
M
Elsenbruch
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin