THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by a hormonal imbalance that produces a range of symptoms, including irregular ovulation and overproduction of androgens, many of which are associated with risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Objective: To evaluate the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar, Pakistan, from April 2024 to March 2025. The study included 210 women of reproductive age (18-45 years) who were selected by a simple random sampling method from the gynecology and endocrinology outpatient departments. Major factors, such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), biochemical tests, hormonal profiles, and lifestyle influences of the patients, were evaluated. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to assess the association between PCOS and CVD risk factors. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 210 patients from the cross-sectional study, the following were observed: hypertension was present in 47.1% of patients, insulin resistance in 68.1% of patients, and dyslipidemia in 62.4% of patients. The logistic regression analysis determined that PCOS patients had a 2.8-fold higher risk of developing hypertension (p < 0.01) and a 3.5-fold higher risk of developing insulin resistance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study finds a significant association between PCOS and CVD risk factors that ultimately increases the risk of developing CVD in patients with PCOS. To improve long-term outcomes and reduce CVD risk, early detection, lifestyle modification, and interventional therapies are recommended, alongside routine cardiovascular assessments. Subsequently, further research needs to be conducted on tailored interventional therapies to lower mortality and morbidity from CVD in patients with PCOS.