Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk for myocardial infarction: Evaluated from a risk factor model based on a prospective population study of women

TLDR

The risk factor model was derived from independent myocardial infarction predictors in a prospective cohort of 1,462 Swedish women. The study aimed to determine if women with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher myocardial infarction risk by applying the model to 33 PCOS patients and 132 matched controls. The model incorporated age, hypertension, diabetes, central obesity (waist‑to‑hip ratio) and triglyceride levels as independent risk factors. PCOS women had a 7.4‑fold higher myocardial infarction risk, suggesting dietary restriction should be part of treatment.

Abstract

In order to estimate whether women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased risk of developing myocardial infdrction, a risk factor model was applied on 33 women with PCOS and 132 age matched referents. The risk factor model was established from independent risk factors for myocardial infarction in a prospective population study of 1462 women in Goteborg, Sweden. The independent risk factors were age. manifest hypertension, manifest diabetes mellitus, central obesity measured as increased waist to hip circumference ratio and serum trigly‐ceride concentration. A considerably increased risk (relative risk of 7.4) of developing myocardial infarction was observed for women with PCOS compared to age‐matched referents. Since the risk factors include variables correlated to obesity, the results indicate that advice on dietary restriction is an important part of the treatment once the diagnosis is established.