Beyond Hormones: A Systematic Review of the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

November 2024 in “ Cureus ”

Chandrani Dutta, Spandana Maddukuri

polycystic ovary syndrome androgenic alopecia insulin resistance obesity TNF-alpha IL-1 IL-6 CRP trimethylamine-N-oxide PCOS alopecia androgenica tumor necrosis factor alpha C-reactive protein TMAO

Studysummary This systematic review identified several factors contributing to increased cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, including insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation markers, and microbiota alterations linked to elevated trimethylamine-N-oxide levels.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This systematic review investigates the increased cardiovascular risk (CVR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition characterized by symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, and alopecia androgenica. The review highlights that women with PCOS often exhibit insulin resistance and obesity, which contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation and elevated inflammatory markers like TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and CRP. Additionally, alterations in gut microbiota leading to increased trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels, a pro-atherosclerotic metabolite, are linked to heightened CVR. The review analyzed 8 high-quality articles from a pool of 89, focusing on human studies published between 2019 and 2024, to identify the underlying causes of increased CVR in PCOS-affected women.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research The Current and Emerging Role of Statins in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Evidence to Date

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This review examines the pathogenesis of androgen excess and dyslipidemia in PCOS and the potential role of statins as a treatment but provides no new clinical results.

research Pharmacological Approaches to Controlling Cardiometabolic Risk in Women with PCOS

26 citations , December 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review explores current and emerging treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome, focusing on managing hyperandrogenism and cardiometabolic risk, but reports no new clinical results.

research Recommendations on Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Women with PCOS to Reduce Body Weight and Improve Metabolic Disorders

1 citations , April 2019 in “Endokrynologia Polska”

This review discusses lifestyle interventions to manage weight and reduce metabolic consequences in women with PCOS but reports no new clinical results, highlighting the need for more randomized studies.