Dyslipidemia in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Referred to a Teaching Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
June 2024
in “
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
”
polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS dyslipidaemia triglycerides high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDLC low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDLC LDL hypercholesterolaemia small LDL particles androgenic states obesity dysbetalipoproteinaemia familial hypercholesterolaemia high cholesterol low HDL high LDL high triglycerides high androgens
TLDR Many women with PCOS have abnormal cholesterol levels, needing careful management.
This study examined dyslipidaemia in 1721 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at a gynaecological endocrine clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. The participants were predominantly of mixed ancestry, with a mean age of 26 years and a high prevalence of obesity (58.7%) and morbid obesity (17.9%). The study found that many women had moderate changes in triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), with 43.7% experiencing LDL hypercholesterolaemia. Small LDL particles, associated with obesity and higher androgenic states, were present in 4.6% of the cohort. The study highlights the need for careful diagnosis and individualized management of dyslipidaemia in women with PCOS, noting the presence of incidental monogenic disorders like dysbetalipoproteinaemia and familial hypercholesterolaemia.
