OBJECTIVE: We sought to verify if an oral contraceptive (OC) containing drospirenone affects the cardiovascular risk of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 28 women with PCOS (16 lean [group A] and 12 overweight [group B]) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months therapy with an OC. Leptin, homocysteine, endothelin-1, and flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery were measured. RESULTS: The brachial artery diameter and the pulsatility index, after the reactive hyperemia, did not change in group A; it improved significantly in group B after 6 months of treatment. At baseline and after therapy the plasma levels of homocysteine and endothelin-1 did not differ among the groups. Leptin was significantly lower at baseline in group A compared to group B. CONCLUSION: The OC containing drospirenone does not seem to affect the surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk in lean patients with PCOS. Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to verify if an oral contraceptive (OC) containing drospirenone affects the cardiovascular risk of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 28 women with PCOS (16 lean [group A] and 12 overweight [group B]) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months therapy with an OC. Leptin, homocysteine, endothelin-1, and flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery were measured. RESULTS: The brachial artery diameter and the pulsatility index, after the reactive hyperemia, did not change in group A; it improved significantly in group B after 6 months of treatment. At baseline and after therapy the plasma levels of homocysteine and endothelin-1 did not differ among the groups. Leptin was significantly lower at baseline in group A compared to group B. CONCLUSION: The OC containing drospirenone does not seem to affect the surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk in lean patients with PCOS. Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.