title: Disturbed stress responses in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Arck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rifaie
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schedlowski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsenbruch
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin