Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: A Premature Association?

In 2003, Richard S. Legro reviewed the potential link between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The review found that while women with PCOS often have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome X, which is associated with increased risk for CVD, the link between PCOS and primary cardiovascular events was more speculative than substantive. A long-term follow-up study from the UK involving approximately 800 women with PCOS found no increased death from cardiovascular-related causes, but an increased number of deaths due to diabetes complications. Another study from the University of Pittsburgh followed over 200 cases with PCOS and over 200 controls for a decade, showing an increased trend toward cardiovascular events/disease in the PCOS group. The document concluded that although PCOS may accelerate the development of an adverse cardiovascular-risk profile, the published evidence supporting an earlier presentation of clinical disease was weak.