Metabolic syndrome and its components in different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Hyperandrogenism and Cardiometabolic Risk in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women-What Is the Evidence?

Hyperandrogenism in women, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian hyperthecosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and androgen-secreting tumors, are all associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors that include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. However, it is not clear whether this also implies enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Furthermore, the involvement of obesity and menopausal status for cardiometabolic risk in these women has not been elucidated. Based on the most recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, this review summarizes the latest scientific evidence. To conclude, hyperandrogenism in premenopausal women is associated with enhanced prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, independently of body mass index. In contrast, elevated cardiovascular risk factors and increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in hyperandrogenic postmenopausal women are dependent on obesity. Furthermore, the overall risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease in hyperandrogenic postmenopausal women is similar to controls. The reason for a reduced cardiometabolic risk after menopause in hyperandrogenic women compared to nonhyperandrogenic women is not clear. It can be speculated that the difference in endocrine balance and metabolic status between women with and without hyperandrogenism might decrease after menopause because hyperandrogenism usually improves with age, whereas menopausal transition itself is associated with androgen dominance and abdominal obesity. Although we have gained increased knowledge about cardiometabolic risks in women with hyperandrogenism, it must be acknowledged that the quality of data is overall low. More research is needed, especially longer and larger follow-up studies in women with hyperandrogenism of different etiologies and phenotypes.

Phenotypic Characterization of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Population from the Ecuadorian Andes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine-metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age. Diagnosis is based on the evidence-based international guideline 2018 and the Rotterdam Consensus to classify PCOS phenotypes. This study aims to characterize the biodemographic, clinical, metabolic, and reproductive variables and their relationship with PCOS phenotypes in a population from the Ecuadorian Andes. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-random consecutive sample of 92 women who attended the outpatient gynecology and endocrinology clinic at the Hospital of the Technical University of Loja (UTPL)-Santa Inés, Loja, Ecuador, between January 2022 and July 2023. Descriptive statistics, mean calculations, standard deviation, parametric and nonparametric tests, odds ratios (OR), confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were employed. Results: The average age was 22 ± 3.4 years, with a predominantly mestizo, urban, single, highly educated, and medium-high socioeconomic level population. It was identified that phenotypes A + B are at a higher risk of developing oligomenorrhea and hypertriglyceridemia compared to phenotypes C + D, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in terms of reproductive variables, phenotypes A + B exhibit a significantly higher frequency of elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) compared to phenotypes C + D, also with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The classical phenotypes A and B of PCOS are the most common in Ecuadorian Andean women and carry a higher risk of insulin resistance, anovulation, metabolic disorders, and elevated triglyceride levels compared to phenotypes C and D. Ethnic diversity and sociocultural habits influence the prevalence and clinical manifestations of these phenotypes.

Distribution and anthropometric characteristics of Rotterdam criteria-based phenotypic forms of Polycystic ovaries syndrome in Ukraine

OBJECTIVE

To explore the distribution of Rotterdam-based PCOS phenotypes and their associations with anthropometric parameters predictive of cardiometabolic risks in Ukrainian referral PCOS women.

STUDY DESIGN

It was a cross-sectional study conducted by the Ukrainian Society of Gynecological Endocrinology between September 2021 and January 2022 involving 42 clinics in 10 regional centres representing the major geographical parts of Ukraine. Two hundred obstetrician-gynecologists whose practice facilities corresponded to study criteria were committed to entering records of their PCOS patients aged 20-45 years into the uniform data collection forms. The recorded parameters were: PCOS phenotype with the mandatory assessment of biochemical hyperandrogenism, age, BMI, waist circumference, and hyperandrogenism symptoms.

RESULTS

5254 patients' records were completed. Phenotype A was the most prevalent - 47.7 %, phenotypes B, C, and D were almost equally distributed in the studied population: 17.6 %, 17.4 %, and 17.3 % respectively. The total prevalence of androgenic phenotypes based on the presence of biochemical hyperandrogenism was 82.7 %. The incidence of obesity and hyperandrogenism symptoms, and mean BMI values were higher in phenotypes A and B compared to C and D. At the same time, the presence of 34.1 % and 46.2 % of normal-weight subjects in phenotypes A and B respectively, supports the fact that the excessive BMI is not a universal characteristic of androgenic phenotypes. In younger age groups, phenotypes C and D demonstrated the predominance of normal weight, but in older subgroups, the situation changed: in the age group of 36-45 y.o. compared to 18-25 y.o., the percentage of overweight and obese subjects for the non-classic phenotypes increased more than for the classic ones: C (OR = 3.91, 95 % CI: 2.41-6.38), D (OR = 4.14, 95 % CI: 2.64-6.52), A (OR = 2.30, 95 % CI:1.72-2.08), and B (OR = 2.56, 95 % CI:1.69-3.89).

CONCLUSIONS

In thoroughly assessed Ukrainian referral PCOS population the classic phenotypes prevailed as in other clinical cohorts. The classic phenotypes were characterized by the higher rate of adiposity and severity of clinical hyperandrogenism. At the same time, obese, overweight, and normal-weight subjects were present in all phenotypes, and the risk of obesity in non-classic phenotypes was higher in older age groups.

Androgen excess: a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic, reproductive, and psychological disorder affecting 6-20% of reproductive women worldwide. However, there is still no cure for PCOS, and current treatments primarily alleviate its symptoms due to a poor understanding of its etiology. Compelling evidence suggests that hyperandrogenism is not just a primary feature of PCOS. Instead, it may be a causative factor for this condition. Thus, figuring out the mechanisms of androgen synthesis, conversion, and metabolism is relatively important. Traditionally, studies of androgen excess have largely focused on classical androgen, but in recent years, adrenal-derived 11-oxygenated androgen has also garnered interest. Herein, this Review aims to investigate the origins of androgen excess, androgen synthesis, how androgen receptor (AR) signaling mediates adverse PCOS traits, and the role of 11-oxygenated androgen in the pathophysiology of PCOS. In addition, it provides therapeutic strategies targeting hyperandrogenism in PCOS.

Is elevated baseline SHBG associated with increased ovulation?

Sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is associated with the endocrine and reproductive systems. We aimed to investigate the role of SHBG in the reproductive process. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of the PCOSAct (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Acupuncture Clinical Trial) study, which involved 21 sites in China and a total of 1000 women with PCOS. Out of these, 954 women with SHBG were included in the analysis. Through multivariate analysis of ovulation predictors, we found that age, BMI, estradiol, testosterone, and SHBG all showed a positive predictive value for ovulation (p = 0.0211, 0.0011, 0.0211, 0.0029, 0.0434, respectively). However, the LH to FSH ratio had a negative predictive value (p = 0.0539). Higher quartiles of SHBG were associated with a higher rate of ovulation, and per quartile increased was statistically significant (HR = 1.138, 95%CI [1.054,1.229]). The association remained significant even after adjusting for testosterone (HR = 1.263, 95%CI [1.059, 1.507]). On the other hand, quartiles of testosterone and estradiol did not exhibit any significant tendency toward ovulation. SHBG demonstrated predictive ability for ovulation, conception, pregnancy, and live birth (p < 0.05), and this correlation remained significant after adjusting intervention. Kaplan-Meier curves illustrated that increased levels of SHBG were a factor in high rates of ovulation, conception, and pregnancy. In comparison to other sexual hormones, a higher baseline level of SHBG was related to increased ovulation.

Sex differences in lipids: A life course approach

Differences between men and women in lipids and lipoproteins are observed in distribution and trajectory from infancy to adulthood in the general population. However, these differences are more pronounced in hereditary lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) when absolute cholesterol levels are higher from birth onwards. In the early life course, girls compared to boys have higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and total cholesterol, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are similar. In early adulthood to middle-age, women have lower LDL-C and higher HDL-C levels, as LDL-C levels increase and HDLC levels decrease in men. In the elderly, all lipids - total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride levels decrease but are more pronounced in men. Lipid levels are also affected by specific transitions in girls/women such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Lipid levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. During pregnancy a physiological increase of LDL-C and even a larger increase in triglyceride levels are observed. Pregnancy has a double impact on LDL-C accumulation in women with FH as they have to stop statins, and the absolute increase in LDL-C is higher than in women without FH. In the menopausal transition, women develop a more adverse lipid profile. Therefore, it is important to take into account both sex and the life course when assessing a lipid profile.

Lean mass and associated factors in women with PCOS with different phenotypes

Although current evidence suggests increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic alterations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially of a hyperandrogenic phenotype, the impact of each one of these variables on muscle mass remains uncertain. In this case-control study, we evaluated clinical and hormonal characteristics related to lean body mass according to the different PCOS phenotypes. We performed clinical, metabolic, and hormonal assessments and evaluated body compartments by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 133 women of reproductive age. Creatinine served as an indirect marker of lean mass. Median age was 28 (range, 17-37) years. Women with phenotypes A and B (n = 59) had higher body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome prevalence than those with phenotype C (n = 23) and controls (n = 51) (p<0.005). Women with phenotypes A and B also had higher Ferriman-Gallwey score (p<0.001), insulin levels (p = 0.006), HOMA-IR (p = 0.008), testosterone (p = 0.008), free androgen index (FAI) (p<0.001), fat mass index (FMI) (p = 0.015), android-to-gynoid fat ratio (p = 0.036), and bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (p = 0.027) and total femur (p = 0.013) than controls. Median appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) was higher in phenotypes A and B than in controls (7.01 [IQR, 6.33-8.02] vs. 6.69 [IQR, 5.94-7.09], p = 0.024), but it did not differ significantly from that in phenotype C (6.60 [IQR, 6.16-7.22], p = 0.222). Even after adjusting for BMI, ALMI correlated positively with creatinine in women with phenotypes A and B (rho = 0.319, p = 0.023) but not in those with phenotype C (p = 0.238) or controls (p = 0.097). In multivariate linear regression analyses, ALMI was positively associated with insulin, FAI, FMI, and total femur BMD. The present results suggest that fasting insulin, FAI, fat mass, and total femur BMD were positively associated with increased lean mass in women with PCOS phenotypes A and B.

A comparison of the portfolio low-carbohydrate diet and the ketogenic diet in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine disorders among women of fertile age. Women with PCOS manifest clinical symptoms like menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia. As excessive amounts of insulin levels directly increase ovarian production of androgens, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are considered as the pathogenesis factors of PCOS. The portfolio low-carbohydrate diet (PLCD) is a plant-based diet with 40% carbohydrates combined with five cholesterol-lowering foods and nutrients. On the other hand, the ketogenic diet (KD) is a nutritional protocol with 10% carbohydrates. The purpose of this study is to determine whether PLCD or KD is more effective in alleviating PCOS symptoms.

METHODS

Forty-six overweight or obese women diagnosed with PCOS will be randomly stratified to receive either PLCD or KD for 8 weeks. Measures related to anthropometric and body composition, glucose, and insulin level, HOMA-IR, sex hormones, lipid profile, quality of life, dietary intake, physical activity, and Ferriman-Gallwey score of all participants will be accessed before and after the intervention.

DISCUSSION

Since the first line treatment of PCOS is lifestyle adjustment including diet control and exercise, there has not been determined the optimal diet for this population of women yet. Hence, the goal of conducting this study is to determine whether the PLCD or the KD could have more advantageous effects on attenuating PCOS manifestations. The result of this investigation will give us new insight into curing this disease and will provide evidence-based recommendations for prescribing an optimal diet for PCOS women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

IRCT20200912048693N3, Trial registered 2022-12-14. https://www.irct.ir/trial/67548.

Risk factors for insulin resistance related to polycystic ovarian syndrome in Iranian population

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has significant metabolic sequelae linked to insulin resistance. This study aimed to compare clinical, metabolic, and hormonal characteristics of PCOS women with and without insulin resistance. The second aim was to compare the clinico-biochemical profiles of the various PCOS phenotypes. In this cross-sectional secondary analysis, we combined the baseline data from two separate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in women diagnosed with PCOS. PCOS patients were categorized into the four Rotterdam PCOS phenotypes according to the presence of at least two criteria of oligomenorrhea/anovulation (O), hyperandrogenism (H), and polycystic ovary morphology (P): O-H-P, H-P, O-H, and O-P. Participants were categorized into two groups according to the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels: < 3.46, and ≥ 3.46. The correlation between the HOMA-IR and biometric, clinical, and biochemical variables was assessed in normal weight (BMI < 25) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25) PCOS women. Then, the association between PCOS phenotypes and insulin resistance was investigated using logistic regression analysis. A total of 125 PCOS patients aged 18-40 years were included in the present study. Based on our results, the HOMA-IR index was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure, free androgen index, and triglycerides levels; and negatively correlated with sex hormone-binding globulin in overweight/obese PCOS women. In addition, the HOMA-IR index was found to be positively correlated with alanine transaminase and negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure in normal weight PCOS women. Moreover, individuals with O-H-P phenotype (odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-6.24) had about two-fold increased risk of insulin resistance. In conclusion, the full-blown PCOS (O-H-P) phenotype has an increased risk of insulin resistance. Accordingly, phenotype division may help physicians to predict adverse metabolic outcomes.

Vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Vitamin D level is closely associated with the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on patients with PCOS, to provide reliable evidence to the clinical treatment of PCOS.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang, China national knowledge infrastructure(CNKI) and Weipu databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D supplementation for the treatment of PCOS. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of included RCTs. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

Results

13 RCTs with 840 PCOS patients were included finally. Meta-analyses indicated that vitamin D supplementation increase the serum vitamin D level[mean difference(MD) = 17.81, 95% confidence interval(CI) (10.65, 24.97)] and endometrial thickness [MD = 1.78, 95%CI (0.49, 3.06), P = 0.007], reduce the serum hs-CRP [MD = -0.54, 95%CI (-1.00, -0.08)], parathyroid hormone[MD = -14.76, 95%CI (-28.32, -1.19)], total cholesterol[MD = -12.00, 95%CI (-18.36, -5.56)] and total testosterone level [MD = -0.17, 95%CI (-0.29, -0.05)] (all p < 0.05). No significant differences in the SHBG level [MD = 1.33, 95%CI (-2.70, 5.36)] and mF-G score [MD = 0.04, 95%CI (-0.79, 0.86)] between vitamin D and control group were found (all p > 0.05). Egger's tests showed that there were no publication biases in every synthesized result (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Vitamin D may be helpful to improve the endocrine and metabolism-related indexes in patients with PCOS. More high-quality studies with larger sample size are warranted to further evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation in patients with PCOS.

Waist Circumference Is an Essential Factor in Predicting Insulin Resistance and Early Detection of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (Met-S) is considered one of the most important health problems of the 21st century. It includes a group of metabolic disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as overweight and obesity, elevated lipid profile and blood pressure and insulin resistance (IR). Based on the information mentioned above in which there seems to be a relationship between IR and Met-S, the objective of this work was twofold: on the one hand, to assess the relationship between the values of different insulin resistance risk scales and Met-S determined with three different scales, and on the other, to determine whether any of the components of Met-S predispose more to the appearance of IR.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study of 418,343 workers. Waist circumference was measured and evaluated together with six formulas to assess the insulin resistance index. Categorical variables were evaluated by calculating the frequency and distribution of each one. For quantitative variables, mean and standard deviation were determined, and Student's t-test was applied, while for qualitative variables, the chi-square test was performed. The usefulness of the different risk scales for insulin resistance for predicting metabolic syndrome was evaluated using ROC curves, the area under the curve (AUC), as well as their cut-off points for sensitivity, specificity, and the Youden index.

RESULTS

People with metabolic syndrome applying any criteria had higher values in the IR risk scales. The different IR scales made it possible to adequately classify people with metabolic syndrome. Of the three definitions of Met-S, the one that showed the greatest relationship with IR was IDF.

CONCLUSIONS

Most risk scales for insulin resistance enable the presence of metabolic syndrome to be adequately classified, finding the best ones if the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria are applied. Of the elements included in the Met-S, the one that seems to increase the risk of presenting IR the most is waist circumference; hence, the Met-S definition that is most related to IR is that of the IDF, which is the only one of the three in which a high value of waist circumference is necessary to be able to diagnose Met-S. Waist circumference can be considered the central essential component for detecting insulin resistance and, therefore, the early detection of metabolic syndrome.

Association between serum total testosterone levels and metabolic syndrome among adult women in the United States, NHANES 2011-2016

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between serum total testosterone (TT) levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) or its components among adult women.

METHODS

2,678 women from NHANES 2011-2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. MetS was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The association between serum TT levels and MetS was evaluated by two logistics regression models and the adjusted restricted cubic spline (RCS). Stratified analysis and sensitive analysis were also conducted.

RESULTS

Continuous TT levels were negatively associated with the occurrence of MetS, and the ORs associated with per SD increase in ln TT were 0.70 (95%CI: 0.58-0.85) in 2011-2014 and 0.56 (95%CI: 0.39-0.79) in 2015-2016 in Model A. High TT group were less likely to have MetS (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.45-0.80 in 2011-2014 and OR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.32-0.78 in 2015-2016) when compared to the low TT group. When TT levels were divided into quartiles, TT levels were negatively correlated with the incidence of MetS (p for trend < 0.001). Similar trend was observed in Model B. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression with RCS exhibited that TT had a L-shaped dose-response association with MetS or its components. Interaction analyses revealed that women who were less than 50 years old (OR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.63), with depression (OR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.87) or being smokers (OR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.54) showed lower ORs than those who were over 50 years old (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.40, 1.09), without depression (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.41, 0.85) or non-smokers (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.39, 0.89) when measure the association between ln TT and the occurrence of MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that TT levels are negatively correlated with the occurrence of MetS, with interaction effects of age, smoke behaviors, and depressive status.

Correlation of Serum Visfatin Level in Non-obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Matched Control

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrinopathy affecting reproductive-age women. Visfatin, an adipocytokine, and insulin resistance (IR) marker in diabetes since PCOS and diabetes share insulin resistance as an etiological factor, this study aimed to investigate visfatin as a predictive marker for IR and hyperandrogenemia in non-obese PCOS women and test its correlation to other parameters. A cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital recruited 140 women, divided into two groups. Group I (70/140, study group) was PCOS patients' diagnosis based on 2003 Rotterdam criteria and Group II (70/140, healthy controls). Both were aged, and body mass index (BMI) matched. After a detailed history and general examination, the clinical, demographic, biochemical, hormonal, and metabolic parameters were taken for comparison's sake. PCOS patients were subdivided according to the clinical or hormonal evidence of hyperandrogenemia into two groups: those with hyperandrogenemia and those without. Higher serum visfatin was estimated in the PCOS group (4.4 ± 1.7) versus healthy controls (3.1 ± 0.7) ng/mL, P < 0.0001. Significantly higher visfatin was confirmed in hyperandrogenic PCOS versus non-hyperandrogenic PCOS women (5.69 ± 1.1 vs. 2.76 ± 0.51 ng/mL). A strong correlation was found between visfatin versus hemoglobin A1c and free androgen index (FAI); r = 0.784 and 0.624, respectively. BMI and free testosterone scored a modest correlation. BMI centiles' correlation with serum visfatin revealed no significant effect on serum visfatin, P = 0.62. The ROC calculated visfatin cut-off value; 4.34 ng/mL with 51.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and a P-value < 0.001 in discriminating PCOS cases. In conclusion, a strong positive correlation of visfatin with insulin resistance, followed by FAI in PCOS cases irrespective of BMI, suggests the intimate relation of visfatin in PCOS pathophysiology among non-obese women. Further research is warranted to explore this association's therapeutic and prognostic value.

Prevalence, Pattern and Predictors for Dyslipidemia of Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, pattern and risk predictors for dyslipidemia among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study Design and Methods: A total of 1,000 women diagnosed as PCOS by modified Rotterdam criteria were enrolled in 27 hospitals across China in a randomized controlled trial. Anthropometric, metabolic parameters, sex hormone, and lipid levels were measured at the baseline visit. Dyslipidemia was defined according to total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) level. Independent t-test and logistic regression were used to identify predictors for dyslipidemia. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. Results: A total of 41.3% of the women had dyslipidemia, and the prevalence of abnormal TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were 8.6, 9.1, 26.9, and 17.5%, respectively. Logistic regression found that age, waist circumference, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were independent predictors for dyslipidemia. When combining these predictors, the AUC was 0.744. The cut-off points were age >28.5 years, waist circumference >86.5 cm, insulin >96.0 pmol/L, follicle-stimulating hormone <5.6 mIU/mL, and sex hormone-binding hormone <31.0 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was common in Chinese women with PCOS, and low HDL-C level was the predominant lipid abnormality. Age, waist circumference, follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin and sex hormone-binding globulin were predictive for dyslipidemia among Chinese women with PCOS.