Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: association with cardiovascular risk factors in women of reproductive age

Resumen

Objective: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder with a heterogeneous presentation, affecting 9–18% of reproductive-age women. Evidence indicates a higher risk of comorbidities in this group. This study assessed whether obesity in women with PCOS is linked to a greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 women diagnosed with PCOS between 2019 and 2021. Participants were classified as obese or non-obese based on body mass index (BMI) and underwent anthropometric and laboratory evaluations. Comorbidities were assessed through HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and blood pressure. Descriptive statistics used absolute and relative frequencies. Poisson regression with robust variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and blood pressure alterations. Obesity was the exposure variable (p< 0.05). Results: The mean age was 27 years; 47.7% were obese. Obese women had higher PRs for metabolic syndrome (PR=3.28; CI 95%: 1.72–6.27), dyslipidemia (PR=1.28; CI 95%: 1.04–1.58), glucose intolerance (PR=3.05; CI 95%: 1.40–6.62), and blood pressure changes. Conclusion: Obesity in women with PCOS is associated with a greater prevalence of comorbidities that increase cardiovascular risk.