PCOS, Therapy and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk
PCOS, Therapy and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk
In addition to chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenemia, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is
 also characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, which in turn lead
 to the development of diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
 Serum markers of inflammation are being increasingly recognized as predictors of
 atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, and chronic low-grade inflammation has been recently
 proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
 mellitus. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of commonly used
 non-pharmacologic (diet and lifestyle change) and pharmacologic (oral contraceptives,
 metformin, anti-androgens) treatment strategies on classical and surrogate cardiovascular
 risk markers in women with PCOS. The study hypothesis is that some of the commonly used
 therapies of women with PCOS may have more favorable effects on classical and surrogate
 markers of cardiovascular risk then others or some of them may even confer a higher risk of
 cardiovascular events
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  PCOS

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  diabetes

 -  pregnancy

 -  contraindications to oral contraceptives