Hyperandrogenemia is implicated in both the metabolic and reproductive morbidities of polycystic ovary syndrome

Capsule:
A factor analysis identified multiple factors that are responsible for the abnormalities associated with PCOS. Hyperandrogenemia was a common underlying feature of the metabolic and reproductive abnormalities in women with PCOS.

Authors:
Yeon-Ah Sung, M.D., Hyejin Lee, M.D., Jee-Young Oh, M.D., Hyewon Chung, M.D.

Volume 101, Issue 3, Pages 840-845, March 2014

Abstract:

Objective:
To determine the features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that are implicated in the associated reproductive and metabolic morbidities.

Design:
Cross-sectional case–control study.

Setting:
Academic medical setting.

Patient(s):
A total of 1,062 women with PCOS and 1,887 women without PCOS.

Intervention(s):
None.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Physical examination including hirsutism scoring, biochemical and hormone measurements, ovarian ultrasound, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test to measure glucose and insulin levels.

Result(s):
A factor analysis identified four dominant factors in women with PCOS. These factors were interpreted as follows: [1] metabolic and hyperandrogenemia factor, [2] oligomenorrhea and hyperandrogenemia factor, [3] blood pressure factor, and [4] ovarian morphology factor. In women with PCOS, hyperandrogenemia was a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome after adjusting for age, body mass index, and insulin resistance in the regression analysis.

Conclusion(s):
A factor analysis identified multiple factors that are responsible for the abnormalities associated with PCOS. Hyperandrogenemia was a common underlying feature of the metabolic and reproductive abnormalities in women with PCOS but not in women without PCOS.