Cardiovascular, anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal profiling of normotensive women with polycystic ovary syndrome with and without biochemical hyperandrogenism

Abstract

Purpose Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) present with or without biochemical hyperandrogenism (HAPCOS or non-HAPCOS, respectively). Cardiometabolic and hormonal abnormalities have been reported in women with PCOS, particularly those with hypertension. However, no direct comparison between normotensive (blood pressure n = 69) or non-HAPCOS (n = 180) groups. Results Although within normal ranges, patients with HAPCOS had significantly (p < 0.05) higher peripheral and central systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin than subjects with non-HAPCOS, and healthy women. They also had lower N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration. In contrast, their body mass index (BMI) was higher of over 4 kg/m² than patients with non-HAPCOS and nearly 6 kg/m² than in healthy participants. Except for BMI, statistical differences in the cardiometabolic profile were of little clinical relevance. Conclusions Young normotensive women with HAPCOS have a worse cardiometabolic profile but lower NT-proBNP concentration than patients with non-HAPCOS. Features of this profile in both PCOS groups are within ranges typical for healthy women. Increased BMI is the only clinically relevant feature differentiating hyperandrogenic from non-hyperandrogenic patients with PCOS, and healthy women.