title: Age-related differences in the reproductive and metabolic implications of polycystic ovarian syndrome: findings in an obese, United States population.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore age-related differences in the reproductive and metabolic manifestations of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Using a prospective cross-sectional design, we compared metabolic and reproductive findings in women attending a multidisciplinary clinic for PCOS, stratified across the following age groups: 18-25 (n = 71), 26-35 (n = 129), and 36-45 (n = 29). The study included primarily overweight and obese women, with a mean BMI of 31.1 in the entire study group. Older women had a decreased prevalence of biochemical hyperandrogenemia (p-trend: 0.0005). Of women meeting diagnostic criteria for PCOS, older women (n = 15) had larger median waist circumference and higher median diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and fasting glucose compared to younger women (p-trend: 0.03, 0.01, 0.01, 0.01 and 0.06, respectively). The odds of metabolic syndrome for women ages 36-45 are increased four-fold relative to the younger groups (OR: 4.01; 95% CI: 1.04-15.4; p = 0.04). We conclude that there are significant age-related differences in both the clinical presentation and metabolic manifestations of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Erica B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Lee T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: Marcelle I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Cedars
authors.forename: Heather G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Huddleston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult