COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF LIPID PROFILE IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME AND HEALTHY CONTROLS
Ramadoss Priyadarshini1, Mamta Singh1, Praveen Kumar1, Ben Ashok1,2
1Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai – 600116, India
2NURA – Ai Health Screening Center, Bengaluru – 560038, India.
ABSTRACT: PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a relatively common endocrinological disorder in women of childbearing age. It is a disease entity characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, from amenorrhea to periods that occur at very prolonged intervals. Besides menstrual irregularity, PCOS is associated with clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism, which means an overabundance of the male sex hormone, leading to symptoms like hirsutism, acne, and oily skin. Another hallmark of PCOS is the presence of polycystic ovaries, in which a lot of small cysts can be seen on the ovary by using ultrasound. This pattern of symptoms makes PCOS a heterogeneous condition that has far-reaching impacts on the health of a woman. In the present study, the lipid profile of 40 women with PCOS was compared to that of 40 healthy controls at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. We found that the PCOS group had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and Chol/HDL ratio and lower HDLs. This study has reiterated the dyslipidemia noted by previous studies as the major risk factor of CVD in PCOS subjects. Routine lipid screening, along with lifestyle changes, may help in reducing cardiovascular risks associated with PCOS. This study established that the concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and Chol/HDL ratio was significantly higher, where the HDL concentration was lower in women with PCOS, showing an increased risk for CVD. It therefore points to a need for regular screenings of lipid profiles and lifestyle modifications in the management of dyslipidemia for reducing long-term risks to health.
KEYWORDS: PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, dyslipidemia, CVD, Chol/HDL