Hyperandrogenemia influences the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome abnormalities in adolescents with the polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MBS) abnormalities in Italian adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was evaluated.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
University outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Fifty-three adolescents with PCOS.


METHODS
Subjects underwent a physical evaluation. Fasting blood samples were taken for the evaluation of metabolic parameters.


METHODS
The prevalence of MBS abnormalities according to de Ferranti criteria was assessed.


RESULTS
9.4% of adolescents with PCOS had the MBS (three abnormalities). Twelve girls (22.7%) had two abnormalities. Seventeen (32.1%) of PCOS girls have no MBS abnormalities. PCOS adolescents with the MBS were more obese, insulin resistant and they had significantly higher levels of total and free testosterone. The number of metabolic abnormalities correlated with free, total testosterone, free androgen index (FAI) and body mass index (BMI). Groups with two or three abnormalities were not differentiated by BMI, insulin, lipids, blood pressure, but they were differentiated by total and free testosterone and FAI. Adolescents with the MBS have higher total and free testosterone and FAI than girls with two MBS abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
The MBS and its components are present in some adolescents with PCOS, placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease early in adulthood. Hyperandrogenemia is a risk factor for MBS independent of obesity.
Fruzzetti
Franca
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, via Roma 35, 56100 Pisa, Italy. ffruzzi@tin.it
Perini
Daria
D
Lazzarini
Veronica
V
Parrini
Donatella
D
Genazzani
Andrea R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult