Metabolic and cardiovascular changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective To analyze the relationship between QTc interval and cardiovascular risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Study group included 119 PCOS women (age: 32.2 ±5.2 years) and the control group 64 age-matched healthy women; they all underwent QT interval measurement, and plasma levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), endothelin-1 (ET1), insulin, and testosterone determinations. Results In PCOS women hsCRP (2.35 ± 2.14 mg/L vs. 1.01 ± 1.28 mg/L; P = 0.04), ET1 (23.6 ± 10.3 ng/L vs. 7.7 ± 15.9 ng/L; P = 0.01), and insulin (16.5 ± 7.8 mIU/L vs. 11.8 ±10.7 mIU/L; P = 0.03) levels were significantly higher, and QTc interval significantly shorter than in controls (401 ± 61 ms vs. 467 ± 61 ms; P = 0.007). In 67 (56%) PCOS patients with a short QTc interval (< 400 ms), plasma testosterone levels were significantly higher than in PCOS women with normal QTc interval (2.3 ± 2.1 nmol/L vs. 1.4 ± 1.7 nmol/L; P = 0.02). Conclusions In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome increased testosterone levels may attenuate the effects of coronary risk factors.