Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 29 P974

ICEECE2012 Poster Presentations Female Reproduction (99 abstracts)

Association of metabolic disturbances and carotid intima-media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

I. Bozic 1 , D. Macut 1 , M. Civcic 1 , S. Erceg 1 , J. Bjekic-Macut 2 , B. Popovic 1 , T. Bogavac 1 , M. Petakov 1 , T. Isailovic 1 , V. Elezovic 1 , S. Ognjanovic 1 & S. Damjanovic 1


1Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Cinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Clinical-Hospital Center ‘Bezanijska kosa’, Belgrade, Serbia.


Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a simple non-invasive procedure for assessment and measurement of atherosclerotic plaque. It is a valuable tool for evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk, as increase in CIMT is associated with cardiovascular events, mainly stroke. In this study we evaluated association and influence of metabolic disturbances on CIMT in women with PCOS.

Methods: PCOS was diagnosed using ESHRE/ASRM criteria. Ultrasound CIMT measurement was obtained on right and left common carotid artery in 98 women with PCOS (group PCOS: 24.6±5.5 kg/m2; 25.9±5.1 years) and 37 healthy women (group controls: 22.9±5.1 kg/m2; 27.2±4.1 years). Groups did not differ in age (P=0.65) and body mass index (BMI, P=0.71). In all subjects fasting blood samples were collected in follicular phase of menstrual cycle for determination of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), testosterone and SHBG. Homeostatic model (HOMA index), free androgen index (FAI), mean CIMT and blood pressure (BP) were determined.

Results: In comparison to controls, PCOS had significantly higher mean CIMT (0.56±0.68 vs 0.47±0.59, P=0.022), systolic BP (P=0.042), triglycerides level (P=0.01), and lower HDL-cholesterol level (P=0.024). All determined parameters entered multiple linear regression analysis which revealed significant model (R2=0.12) where triglycerides level was the only independent predictor of CIMT in PCOS group (P=0.002).

Conclusion: CIMT is a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. In this study we showed that women with PCOS have significantly higher CIMT in comparison to healthy, age and BMI matched women. Higher CIMT in PCOS women is associated with higher triglycerides level.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Volume 29

15th International & 14th European Congress of Endocrinology

European Society of Endocrinology 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.