title: Polycystic ovarian syndrome and the risk of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis.
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with multiple comorbidities such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, all of which predispose women with PCOS to early atherosclerosis. Women with PCOS also have a higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis, as reflected in dysregulation of endothelial function, increased carotid intimal-medial thickness, and presence of coronary artery calcification. Preliminary data indicate that serum biomarkers of cardiovascular disease such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and adiponectin are abnormal in women with PCOS. There is limited data on abnormalities in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, however. The risk of venous thrombosis is unclear in the PCOS population, and further studies are urgently required to address whether first-line treatment for PCOS with oral contraceptive pills is advisable.
authors.affiliation: Penn Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Winifred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Anuja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dokras
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; C051321:SERPINE1 protein, human; D006710:Homocysteine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein