Evaluation of carotid artery intima-media thickness as a cardiovascular risk marker in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome

*Corresponding and presenting author:

Dr. Shamim Hossan, Medical Officer, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur, Bangladesh.

Cell: +88 01722-458905, email: shamim.endo@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine problem, which is now recognized as not only a reproductive but also a metabolic disorder with long‑term effects on women’s health. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an important cardiovascular (CV) risk marker that is not adequately evaluated in patients with PCOS.

Objectives: To see and compare the level of CIMT in young women with PCOS and healthy controls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Endocrinology, BSMMU which enrolled 40 newly diagnosed PCOS patients (18- 35 years) and an equal number of control. After collecting clinical data, fasting blood was drawn to measure glucose, lipid profiles, and hormones including insulin, and total testosterone using glucose oxidase, peroxidase, and chemiluminescent immunoassay respectively. Ultrasonography of pelvic organs was done in the early follicular phase. A B-mode ultrasound image of the common carotid artery using a 08 to 12 MHz high-resolution linear ultrasound probe was done by a single sonologist.

Results: CIMT was significantly higher in PCOS than in control [0.63 (0.60, 0.65) vs. 0.45 (0.41, 0.50), mm, median (IQR), <0.001]. PCOS participants had significantly higher mean CIMT compared to controls (p<0.001 for all) when they were categorized based on body mass index (BMI≥25 kg/m²), waist circumference (WC≥80 cm) and insulin resistance (IR by HOMA-IR≥2.6). CIMT correlated with WC (r=0.337, p=0.039) and triglyceride (TG) (r=0.315, p=0.048) in PCOS.

Conclusions:  Patients with PCOS had higher CIMT and has an association with BMI, WC, IR, and TG indicating at higher CV risks.

Keywords: Carotid intima-media thickness, polycystic ovary syndrome.