Plamena Kabakchieva1,2, Tsvetoslav Georgiev3, Antoaneta Gateva1, Julieta Hristova4, Zdravko Kamenov1. 1. Clinic of Endocrinology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria. 2. Clinic of Internal Diseases, Naval Hospital - Varna, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. 3. Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital "St. Marina", First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Medical University - Varna, Varna, Bulgaria. tsetso@medfaculty.org. 4. Clinical Laboratory and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Department of Clinical Laboratory, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the link between hyperandrogenism and early clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis (OA), knee cartilage thickness, and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare them with healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fifty-four PCOS patients who met the Rotterdam criteria with phenotypes A, B, and C were included. They were compared with 26 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Detailed anthropometric measurements and clinical evaluation for hyperandrogenism were performed for all participants who also filled in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire. Furthermore, laboratory tests including sCOMP and hormone quantification were performed in a fasting stage. Finally, an ultrasound assessment was carried out in randomly selected 56 study participants. RESULTS: PCOS women reported more prominent knee-related symptoms (p = 0.035) and more impaired activities of daily living (ADL) (p = 0.001) than controls. Cartilage thickness of the left and right medial condyle and left lateral condyle was significantly greater in PCOS group (n = 41) than in control group (n = 15) (p = 0.05, p = 0.006, and p = 0.036, respectively). COMP correlated significantly and negatively with testosterone levels (p = 0.029, r = - 0.297) in women with PCOS and the correlation remained significant after controlling for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS may experience knee-related symptoms and impaired ADL. They had greater knee femoral cartilage thickness. Although sCOMP levels did not significantly differ between the groups, lower levels of sCOMP may be inherent to PCOS patients with higher testosterone levels. Key Points • Although PCOS patients may experience more prominent knee related symptoms, their femoral cartilage of the knee joint is found thicker than controls. • PCOS patients did not have significantly elevated levels of sCOMP. • Lower sCOMP levels were related to higher testosterone levels.
INTRODUCTION: OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the link between hyperandrogenism and early clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis (OA), knee cartilage thickness, and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare them with healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fifty-four PCOSpatients who met the Rotterdam criteria with phenotypes A, B, and C were included. They were compared with 26 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Detailed anthropometric measurements and clinical evaluation for hyperandrogenism were performed for all participants who also filled in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire. Furthermore, laboratory tests including sCOMP and hormone quantification were performed in a fasting stage. Finally, an ultrasound assessment was carried out in randomly selected 56 study participants. RESULTS:PCOSwomen reported more prominent knee-related symptoms (p = 0.035) and more impaired activities of daily living (ADL) (p = 0.001) than controls. Cartilage thickness of the left and right medial condyle and left lateral condyle was significantly greater in PCOS group (n = 41) than in control group (n = 15) (p = 0.05, p = 0.006, and p = 0.036, respectively). COMP correlated significantly and negatively with testosterone levels (p = 0.029, r = - 0.297) in women with PCOS and the correlation remained significant after controlling for BMI. CONCLUSIONS:Women with PCOS may experience knee-related symptoms and impaired ADL. They had greater knee femoral cartilage thickness. Although sCOMP levels did not significantly differ between the groups, lower levels of sCOMP may be inherent to PCOSpatients with higher testosterone levels. Key Points • Although PCOSpatients may experience more prominent knee related symptoms, their femoral cartilage of the knee joint is found thicker than controls. • PCOSpatients did not have significantly elevated levels of sCOMP. • Lower sCOMP levels were related to higher testosterone levels.
Authors: Arjan P Bergink; Joyce B van Meurs; John Loughlin; Pascal P Arp; Yue Fang; Albert Hofman; Johannes P T M van Leeuwen; Cornelia M van Duijn; André G Uitterlinden; Huibert A P Pols Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2003-07