Factors associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness and being nondipper in nonobese and normotensive young patients affected by PCOS

Angiology. 2011 Oct;62(7):543-8. doi: 10.1177/0003319711400183. Epub 2011 Jul 6.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by chronic unovulation, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance. We evaluated factors that affect "nondipper" status during 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in PCOS. Forty-two nonobese women newly diagnosed as PCOS and 32 healthy women were included. After biochemical and hormonal measurements, the ovaries were imaged by pelvic ultrasonography and cIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. A 24-hour ABPM was performed thereafter. Carotid IMT and the ratio of nondippers were elevated compared with controls. Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were found to be related with being a nondipper in PCOS. None of the parameters evaluated were found to correlate with cIMT. In conclusion, patients with PCOS had increased nondipping ratios and cIMT when compared with controls. Insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol are factors that are related to diurnal variation in normotensive and young patients with PCOS.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Body Mass Index
  • Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery, Common / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / metabolism
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / pathology*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Intima / pathology*
  • Tunica Media / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Media / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hormones