Greater Arterial Stiffness in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Is an Obesity- But Not a PCOS-Associated Phenomenon

Abstract

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity are associated with cardiovascular disease, but it is unclear to what extent they contribute independently. Arterial stiffness might link obesity and PCOS to cardiovascular diseases. Objective: Our objective was to investigate whether PCOS in the presence or absence of obesity is linked with arterial stiffness. Design and Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study, including 31 obese (18 with PCOS) and 39 lean (22 with PCOS) women. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures: Estimates of arterial stiffness were obtained by ultrasonography (distensibility and compliance of carotid, femoral, and brachial arteries; carotid elastic modulus; and intima-media thickness) and pulse wave transit time analyses (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and aortic augmentation index). Results: Obese women, with or without PCOS, had stiffer arteries than lean women. After adjustment for 24-h mean arterial pressure and age, obesity was inversely associated with the femoral, brachial, and carotid distensibility coefficients [β (95% confidence interval), -0.354 (-0.614 to -0.094), -0.354 (-0.547 to -0.161), and -0.248 (-0.370 to -0.126) 10