Assessment of the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrinal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, which has been linked to an enlarged risk of cardiovascular disease and premature atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a persistent inflammatory and lipid-depositing disease that starts from endothelial response to injury, ultimately leading to critical cardiovascular events. Podocalyxin, a cell surface sialomucin, is found on endothelial cells covering blood vessels. Objectives: Measuring serum podocalyxin to predict early atherosclerosis in PCOS women, also measuring lipid panel including the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), which is a powerful marker that can accurately predict the likelihood of developing the℮ risk of atherosclerosis even when other atherogenic risk factors appear within normal limits. Materials and Method: This case-control study included 124 age-matched women divided into 63 women diagnosed with PCOS (patients) and 61 healthy women (controls). Lipid panel and serum podocalyxin were measured. Results: There is a significant elevation in the mean value of serum podocalyxin (P=0.000), TG (P=0.39), TC (P=0.002), VLDL-C (P=0.039), LDL-C (P=0.001), a Risk ratio of TC/HDL-C (P=0.000), Risk ratio of LDL/HDL-C (P=0.000), and AIP (P=0.013) with significant decrease in mean value of HDL-C (P=0.000) in PCOS women as compared to healthy control. Conclusion: Higher levels of serum podocalyxin and atherogenic index of plasma were found in PCOS women; a positive correlation was also found between serum podocalyxin and atherogenic index of plasma. Therefore, serum podocalyxin appears to be a predictive marker to detect early atherosclerosis in women with PCOS. Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome, atherosclerosis, podocalyxin, lipid profile, AIP.