A Comparative Study of LDL-C Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women with Different Cardiovascular Risks According to American Heart Association Criteria
Yada Tingthanatikul MD*, Saranthorn Sripilaipong MD*, Orawin Vallibhakara MD*, Areepan Sophonsritsuk MD, PhD*, Sawaek Weerakiet MD*, Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara MD, PhD**
Affiliation : * Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To compare metabolic parameters including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels between polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with the different cardiovascular disease risks (CVD), and to study the frequency of PCOS
women in each risk category who need treatment for the target LDL-C levels according to the recommendation by the
Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AE-PCOS).
Material and Method: This was a retrospective comparative study. Data from the medical records and electronic forms
of the 208 PCOS women, who consecutively attended the Reproductive between February 2004 and December 2010 were
analyzed. According to the recommendation of the AE-PCOS society, the subjects were classified into three groups of CVD
risk.
Results : There were 22, 129, and 57 women being at optimal risk, at risk, and at high-risk groups, respectively. There were
significant differences in all metabolic factors between the different CVD classifications according to the AE-PCOS society.
Furthermore, the PCOS women at high-risk had higher rates of the most significant parameters than those at risk. However,
the LDL-C levels were not different between PCOS women at high-risk and at risk. Interestingly, 56%, 90.7%, and 100%
of PCOS women at risk, at high-risk, and at high-risk plus other risks, respectively, had LDL-C levels above the target
goals, which needed to be lower for the primary CVD prevention according to the AE- PCOS society recommendation.
Conclusion : There were differences in all metabolic factors between the different CVD classifications, but LDL-C levels
were not different between PCOS women at high-risk and at risk. To get target goal for the primary CVD prevention, 91%
and 100% of PCOS women at high-risk and at high-risk plus other risks need to lower LDL-C levels.
Keywords : CVD risk classification, LDL-C level, Metabolic parameters, Polycystic ovary syndrome
