title: Comparison of different methods investigating functional and morphological markers of early atherogenesis in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognostic importance of preclinical markers of atherosclerosis and their interrelationship are inconclusive. In this study interrelationship between different methods investigating endothelial function and intima media thickness (IMT) was investigated in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Endothelial function was assessed by endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD), low-flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT). Arterial stiffness was determined by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the Augmentation Index (AI). The IMT of carotid arteries was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight obese women were recruited with the diagnosis of PCOS, mean age 27±7.2 years and Body Mass Index 38.8±6.3 kg/m2. A relationship between FMD and NMD (r=0.44, P=0.02) was shown. FMD as well as NMD of the brachial artery were not correlated with L-FMC or PAT. The AI and PWV, indicators of arterial stiffness were not interrelated with FMD, and there was no significant interrelationship between IMT and FMD or NMD. The AI was related only to IMT (r=0.45, P=0.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relationship between available methods for evaluation of endothelial function/dysfunction is weak in PCOS. This indicates that different methods investigate different mechanisms and various sections of the circulatory system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Disease, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia - pavel.poredos@kclj.si.
authors.forename: Mateja K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jezovnik
authors.forename: Mojca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jensterle Sever
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janez
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spirkoska
authors.forename: Nika A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kravos
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poredos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult