In September 2024, the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published the results of a meta-analysis aimed at assessing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
The meta-analysis included data from 7 regions (204 countries) (information from the World Bank–defined), published in 17 articles from 1990 to 2019. All studies included in the meta-analysis examined the association of PCOS with CVD in women aged from 10 to 54 years. The authors of the meta-analysis estimated the overall incidence of CVD associated with PCOS, calculated the age-standardized rate (ASIR) (from the Global burden of disease 2019), and determined the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the development of CVD associated with PCOS.
The data show that from 1990 to 2019, the incidence of CVD in women with PCOS of all ages significantly increased in the worldwide from 102,530 to 235,560 cases. The highest prevalence in 2019 was observed in East Asia and the Pacific (108,430, 66,090–166,150 cases). South Asia has the highest increase trend of PCOS-associated CVD ASIRs (EAPC 2.61%, 2.49–2.73). There was an annual increase in [PCOS-CVD] ASIR in the age group from 10–54 years (EAPC 0.49%, 0.41–0.56) than in the all ages group (EAPC 0.34, 0.27–0.42). In countries with middle- or low-middle sociodemographic index, there has been a higher tendency for the incidence of CVD caused by PCOS over the past 30 years. The risk of CVD was significantly higher in women with PCOS of all age groups (pooled RR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.36–1.96) and 10–54 years (1.37; 95% CI 1.17–1.59). Thus, according to this meta-analysis, women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing CVD. In conclusion, the authors suggest a possible association of increased cardiovascular risk with metabolic disorders (insulin resistance, diabetes or obesity) present in patients with PCOS.
https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article/31/13/1560/7610822
