Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely linked to hyperandrogenism (HA). In PCOS, HA has been associated with metabolic disturbances that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To assess the association of high serum androgen levels, as a postmenopausal remnant of PCOS, with the prevalence of atherosclerosis and incidence of CVD in postmenopausal women. Design: The Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study. Median follow-up was 11.36 years. Setting: General community. Participants: A total of 2578 women aged >55 years. Exclusion criteria were missing informed consent or follow-up data, perimenopausal status, and menopause by surgical intervention or at an unnatural age (age <40 or >62). Intervention: None. Main Outcomes and Measures: Linear, logistic, and Cox regression models assessed the association of top quartiles (P75) of serum testosterone, free androgen index (FAI), dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin with coronary artery calcium, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity, peripheral artery disease, and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and CVD. Results: Mean age (standard deviation) was 70.19 (8.71) years, and average time since menopause was 19.85 (9.94) years. Highest quartile FAI was associated with higher pulse wave velocity (β [95% confidence interval (CI)], 0.009 [0.000 to 0.018]). Highest quartile dehydroepiandrosterone [β (95% CI), -0.008 (-0.015 to -0.001)] and androstenedione [β (95% CI), -0.010 (-0.017 to -0.003)] levels were associated with a lower IMT. We found no association between high androgen levels and incident stroke, CHD, or CVD. Conclusion: Postmenopausal high androgen levels were not associated with an elevated risk for CVD. Cardiovascular health in women with PCOS might be better than was anticipated.
Context:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely linked to hyperandrogenism (HA). In PCOS, HA has been associated with metabolic disturbances that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To assess the association of high serum androgen levels, as a postmenopausal remnant of PCOS, with the prevalence of atherosclerosis and incidence of CVD in postmenopausal women. Design: The Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study. Median follow-up was 11.36 years. Setting: General community. Participants: A total of 2578 women aged >55 years. Exclusion criteria were missing informed consent or follow-up data, perimenopausal status, and menopause by surgical intervention or at an unnatural age (age <40 or >62). Intervention: None. Main Outcomes and Measures: Linear, logistic, and Cox regression models assessed the association of top quartiles (P75) of serum testosterone, free androgen index (FAI), dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin with coronary artery calcium, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity, peripheral artery disease, and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and CVD. Results: Mean age (standard deviation) was 70.19 (8.71) years, and average time since menopause was 19.85 (9.94) years. Highest quartile FAI was associated with higher pulse wave velocity (β [95% confidence interval (CI)], 0.009 [0.000 to 0.018]). Highest quartile dehydroepiandrosterone [β (95% CI), -0.008 (-0.015 to -0.001)] and androstenedione [β (95% CI), -0.010 (-0.017 to -0.003)] levels were associated with a lower IMT. We found no association between high androgen levels and incident stroke, CHD, or CVD. Conclusion: Postmenopausal high androgen levels were not associated with an elevated risk for CVD. Cardiovascular health in women with PCOS might be better than was anticipated.
Authors: Elisabet Stener-Victorin; Vasantha Padmanabhan; Kirsty A Walters; Rebecca E Campbell; Anna Benrick; Paolo Giacobini; Daniel A Dumesic; David H Abbott Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2020-07-01 Impact factor: 19.871
Authors: Edgar D Torres Fernandez; Alexandra M Huffman; Maryam Syed; Damian G Romero; Licy L Yanes Cardozo Journal: Endocrinology Date: 2019-12-01 Impact factor: 4.736
Authors: Meri-Maija E Ollila; Kari Kaikkonen; Marjo-Riitta Järvelin; Heikki V Huikuri; Juha S Tapanainen; Stephen Franks; Terhi T Piltonen; Laure Morin-Papunen Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2019-04-01 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: M Arfan Ikram; Guy Brusselle; Mohsen Ghanbari; André Goedegebure; M Kamran Ikram; Maryam Kavousi; Brenda C T Kieboom; Caroline C W Klaver; Robert J de Knegt; Annemarie I Luik; Tamar E C Nijsten; Robin P Peeters; Frank J A van Rooij; Bruno H Stricker; André G Uitterlinden; Meike W Vernooij; Trudy Voortman Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2020-05-04 Impact factor: 8.082