Randomize study: the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Greek women with polycystic ovary syndrome

 Hum. Reprod. June 2013;86(1 Supp):329

G. Kyrkou1, E. Trakakis2, C.H. Chrelias2, E. Alexiou2, K. Lykeridou3, G. Mastorakos4

1University hospital of Athens “Attikon”, 3rd Pediatric Department N.I.C.U., Athens, Greece
2University hospital of Athens “Attikon”, 3rd Obstetric & Gynecological Department, Athens, Greece,
3Technological Education Institute of Athens, Midwifery Department, Athens, Greece
4University Hospital Of Athens “Areteion”, 2rd Obstetric & Gynecological Department, Athens, Greece

Study question
The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Greek women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because women with PCOS have an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and incidence of diabetes.
Summary answer
The prevalence of MS in Greek women with PCOS was 10%, also we found that it increases gradually with age. So to prevent future disorders we recommend systematic follow up patient education.
What is known already
Polycystic ovary syndrome is among the most common endocrine disorders of women in the reproductive age group. PCOS has been strongly associated with MS and insulin resistance, so there is an increased prevalence of MS in women with PCOS. The PCOS and the MS appear to be interrelated and the PCOS-MS interrelationship is not restricted to Caucasian women with PCOS. In women with PCOS indicated differences in the prevalence of MS among people.
Study design, size, duration
In this study participated only Greek women, during their reproductive age; they were from different residence areas, different origin and independent socio-economic class and were tested during the period 2004 to 2009. They underwent laboratory and clinical evaluation for the diagnosis of PCOS and MS.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
230 Greek women, which have been diagnosed with PCOS according to the criteria of the Rotterdam ESHRE, aged from 12 to 44 years, correlation for the diagnosis of MS the abdominal circumference, the fasting glucose, the TG, the HDL-C, the systolic and the diastolic pressure, using criteria of IDF. This is the first study in Greece that correlates PCOS with MS.
Main results and the role of chance
The prevalence of MS of Greek women with PCOS was 10% (IDF criteria). Pathological variables in the MS to the general population with PCOS: abdominal circumference (>80cm) rate of 63%, HDL-C (<50mg/dl) 26, 5%, TG (>150mg/dl) 10,4%, fasting glucose (>100mg/dl) 7,4%, diastolic blood pressure (>85mm/Hg) 6,1%, systolic blood pressure (130mm/HG) 4,3%. The prevalence of MS according to age: minimum age to 19 years 0%, 20 to 24 years 6,76%, 25 to 29 years 9,62%, 30 to 34 years 17,14% and 35 to maximum age 55,56%. The pathological variables of MS in all age groups have the primary finding of increased abdominal circumference and secondary finding the decreased levels of HDL-C, also a gradual increased observed in diastolic blood pressure and fasting glucose.
Limitations, reason for caution
This study was limited by the fact that the data was collected only from the Gynecological Endocrinology outpatient clinic, of the 3rd Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical of the University General Hospital “Attikon”.
Wider implications of the findings
Our findings agree with the most researches of the literature and prove that the prevalence of the MS varies depending on each country′s habits and life style and also is not limited to Caucasian race, -for example the prevalence of MS in USA is 43% (criteria ATP-III), in Australia 40% (criteria IDF), in India 46,2% (criteria IDF), in South Italy 8,2% (criteria ATP-III) and in Germany 33,8%(criteria IDF).

Study funding/competing interest(s) This study was not funded by any source.
Trial registration number Validation date 26/7/2010 Number/protocol 10865/31/8/2010

Full Text Free: http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/28/suppl_1/i311.abstract?sid=85d442c1-708e-4bbf-a732-c9ad552a3b4f