title: Metabolic syndrome in Greek women with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, characteristics and associations with body mass index. A prospective controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence, to evaluate the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Greek women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate the correlation of MetS with body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective controlled study, 230 Greek female patients with PCOS and 155 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Diagnosis of PCOS was based on the revised criteria of Rotterdam. Both groups were examined for MetS. Diagnosis of MetS was based on the revised criteria of International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of the MetS was 12.6 %, nearly sevenfold higher than the controls. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (7.0 vs. 1.9 %) and elevated triglycerides (10.4 vs. 3.2 %) were more frequent in the PCOS cohort (p < 0.05). Women with PCOS presented statistically higher BMI in comparison with the controls (p < 0.001). Subsequently, the prevalence of MetS was estimated in three groups: normal, overweight and obese subdivided according to BMI. The latter two groups showed significant differences compared with the healthy controls (24.5 vs. 8.8 %, p = 0.050).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, this study showed high prevalence of MetS and increased BMI in Greek PCOS women. In addition, it demonstrated the higher prevalence of MetS in obese PCOS women in comparison with the controls. These results are placing them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the future and underline the necessity of periodic screening, appropriate diet and exercise program.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece. ioannakirkou@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Giannoula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kyrkou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eftichios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trakakis
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attilakos
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Periklis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panagopoulos
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chrelias
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaggopoulos
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Areteion" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mastorakos
authors.affiliation: Technological Education Institute of Athens, Egaleo, Greece.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lykeridou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kassanos
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papaevangelou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papantoniou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Characteristics; International diabetes foundation; Metabolic syndrome; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Prevalence