Incidence of polycystic ovaries and androgen serum levels in women with borderline personality disorder.
Obesity, increased visceral fat and disturbed glucose metabolism have been found in borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients. These conditions are often associated with disturbed androgen metabolism. Elevated androgens in women are related to polycystic ovaries (PCO) and might have an impact on psychopathology. Thus, higher prevalence of PCO and elevated androgen levels are suspected in BPD. In the study, we examined 31 BPD patients and 30 healthy controls ultrasonographically for PCO and measured their serum levels of androgens and interacting hormones. Furthermore, influence on psychopathology of free testosterone (FT) serum level was assessed. PCO was significantly more prevalent in BPD patients (30.4%) compared to healthy controls (6.9%). Testosterone, FT, androstenedione (A), and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were significantly elevated in the BPD group independently of BMI. FT serum level significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. In summary, our data suggest a disturbed androgen metabolism in BPD patients.
Roepke
Stefan
S
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Department of Psychiatry, Berlin, Germany. stefan.roepke@charite.de
Ziegenhorn
Andreas
A
Kronsbein
Julia
J
Merkl
Angela
A
Bahri
Scharif
S
Lange
Julia
J
Lübbert
Horst
H
Schweiger
Ulrich
U
Heuser
Isabella
I
Lammers
Claas-H
CH
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone