Effects of Insulin Resistance on Myocardial Blood Flow and Arterial Peripheral Circulation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) on myocardial microcirculation and peripheral artery function in patients with PCOS. METHODS: We studied 55 women (28 with PCOS without IR, 18 with PCOS and IR and 11 normal controls) who underwent laboratorial analysis, high-resolution vascular ultrasound and real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were evaluated by vascular ultrasound. The replenishment velocity (ß), plateau of acoustic intensity (A) and myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) were determined by quantitative dipyridamole stress RTMCE. RESULTS: ß reserve in group PCOS + IR was lower than control (2.34 ± 0.55 vs. 3.60 ± 0.6; P < 0.001) and than PCOS without IR (2.34 ± 0.55 vs. 3.17 ± 0.65; P < 0.001). MBFR in patients with PCOS without IR did not differ from those of control (4.59 ± 1.59 vs. 5.30 ± 1.64; P = 0.22) or from patients with PCOS + IR (4.59 ± 1.59 vs. 3.70 ± 1.47; P = 0.07). When comparing with control group, patients with PCOS + IR had lower MBFR (5.30 ± 1.64 vs. 3.70 ± 1.47; P = 0.01). No significant differences were found between control, PCOS without IR and PCOS + IR for FMD (0.18 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.04 and 0.13 ± 0.07; P =NS) or IMT (0.48 ± 0.05, 0.47 ± 0.05 and 0.49 ± 0.07; P = NS). CONCLUSION: Women with PCOS and IR had depressed ß and MBFR as demonstrated by quantitative RTMCE, but no alteration in endothelial dysfunction or IMT. PCOS without IR showed isolated depression in ß reserve, probably an earlier marker of myocardial flow abnormality.

Myeloperoxidases and polycystic ovary syndrome.

New biological markers are emerging trying to identify earlier cardiovascular high risk subjects. Myeloperoxidases have been involved in the role of atherosclerosis process, by the beginning of the endothelial dysfunction up to the plaque rupture and clinical manifestation, and it has been demonstrated that this enzyme has also a prognostic value. We aimed to assess myeloperoxidases levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR), considering that these women represent a high risk group for cardiovascular disease. We developed a transversal study, comprising 26 patients with PCOS and IR and 30 controls (PCOS without IR). IR was considered with HOMA-IR ≥3.0. IR absence was considered when HOMA-IR <3.0, triglycerides <200, BMI <28.7, and BMI<27.8 in patients with familial history of type 2 diabetes. All patients went through anamnesis, physical examination, transvaginal ultrasound, and blood samples. IR PCOS patients had higher levels of myeloperoxidase (22.3 × 18.1, p = 0.047), and also higher BMI. Myeloperoxidase levels correlated directly with insulin. In conclusion, IR PCOS young patients have higher myeloperoxidase levels.

Oncological repercussions of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder that has been associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Evidence has suggested that PCOS may be associated with the appearance of certain types of cancer, particularly endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. The objective of this review was to collect further evidence of these correlations and to identify their possible mechanisms.

[Prevalence of endometrial injury in asymptomatic obese women]. / Prevalência de lesões endometriais em mulheres obesas assintomáticas.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity represents the most important risk factor for endometrial pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of endometrial injuries, such as polyps, hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in asymptomatic obese women, as well as to recognize the associated risk factors . METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2004 and February 2006. Ninety-four obese (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2) women were evaluated, divided in two groups of 47 participants each: pre-menopausal and postmenopausal women. Clinical characteristics, physical exams (anthropometric and gynecological), blood count and endometrial assessment by vaginal ultrasonography, biopsy, and hysteroscopy (only for confirmed endometrial pathology), were the variables appraised. RESULTS: In pre-menopausal women, 12.8% of cases had endometrial pathology statistically associated to age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and LDL-c increase. In the post-menopausal women, 40.4% of cases had a pathology identified as statistically associated with hypertension, LDL-c and estrone increase. Two cases of endometrial cancer were identified, one in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The increased incidence of obesity over recent years has increased risk factors of endometrial cancer. In pre-menopausal women only a small number of cases with endometrial alterations was observed. Therefore, it is suggested that greater attention be given to those over 40 years of age, associated with hypertension and/or higher LDL-c . The menopausal status increases risk of endometrial injury, and when associated with hypertension, LDL-c and/or estrone increase, women become candidates to biopsy aiming for an early diagnosis of cancer, a decisive factor for a favorable prognosis.

Prevalência de lesões endometriais em mulheres obesas assintomáticas / Prevalence of endometrial injury in asymptomatic obese women

OBJETIVOS: A obesidade representa importante fator de risco para alterações endometriais. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a prevalência de lesões endometriais, como pólipos, hiperplasia e câncer de endométrio em mulheres obesas assintomáticas, assim como reconhecer os fatores de risco associados. MÉTODOS: Entre dezembro de 2004 e fevereiro de 2006, em estudo transversal foram avaliadas 94 mulheres obesas (índice de massa corpóreo >30Kg/m²), divididas em dois grupos com 47 participantes cada: em idade reprodutiva e após a menopausa. Foram analisados: história clínica, exame físico (antropométrico/ginecológico), determinações bioquímicas e avaliação do endométrio por ultra-sonografia endovaginal, biópsia e histeroscopia (para confirmar patologia endometrial). RESULTADOS: Nas mulheres em idade reprodutiva foram encontrados 12,8 por cento de casos de patologia endometrial, que se associaram significativamente com as elevações da idade, hipertensão arterial (HAS), colesterol e LDL-c. Após a menopausa, foram identificadas 40,4 por cento de lesões endometriais que se associaram significativamente com pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) > 140mmHg, elevação do LDL-c e da estrona. Dois casos de câncer de endométrio foram constatados, sendo um em cada grupo. CONCLUSÃO: O aumento de incidência da obesidade nos últimos anos tem elevado os fatores de risco para o câncer de endométrio. Na idade reprodutiva tivemos um pequeno tamanho amostral de alterações endometriais; com isso, poderíamos apenas sugerir, uma maior atenção àquelas com idade superior a 40 anos, que apresentem HAS e/ou elevação do LDL-c. O status menopausal eleva o risco de lesão endometrial; associado com elevações da PAS, LDL-c e/ou estrona, elas se tornarão candidatas à biópsia de endométrio, visando o diagnóstico precoce do câncer, decisivo para o prognóstico favorável da mulher.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity represents the most important risk factor for endometrial pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of endometrial injuries, such as polyps, hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in asymptomatic obese women, as well as to recognize the associated risk factors . METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2004 and February 2006. Ninety-four obese (body mass index > 30 kg/m²) women were evaluated, divided in two groups of 47 participants each: pre-menopausal and postmenopausal women. Clinical characteristics, physical exams (anthropometric and gynecological), blood count and endometrial assessment by vaginal ultrasonography, biopsy, and hysteroscopy (only for confirmed endometrial pathology), were the variables appraised. RESULTS: In pre-menopausal women, 12.8 percent of cases had endometrial pathology statistically associated to age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and LDL-c increase. In the post-menopausal women, 40.4 percent of cases had a pathology identified as statistically associated with hypertension, LDL-c and estrone increase. Two cases of endometrial cancer were identified, one in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The increased incidence of obesity over recent years has increased risk factors of endometrial cancer. In pre-menopausal women only a small number of cases with endometrial alterations was observed. Therefore, it is suggested that greater attention be given to those over 40 years of age, associated with hypertension and/or higher LDL-c . The menopausal status increases risk of endometrial injury, and when associated with hypertension, LDL-c and/or estrone increase, women become candidates to biopsy aiming for an early diagnosis of cancer, a decisive factor for a favorable prognosis.

Sensibilidade e especificidade da histerossonografia nas afecções endometriais em mulheres assintomáticas pós-menopausa / Sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography in endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

OBJETIVOS: 1) Estimar sensibilidade e especificidade da histerossonografia nas afecções endometriais, utilizando-se como padrão-ouro a histeroscopia diagnóstica; 2) comparar concordância entre a ultra-sonografia, a histerossonografia e a histeroscopia através do índice de Kappa (K). MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 50 mulheres assintomáticas após menopausa, todas tinham suspeita de afecções endometriais pela ultra-sonografia transvaginal e, por isso, complementaram avaliação endometrial com a histerossonografia, a histeroscopia diagnóstica e a biópsia orientada. Para comparação dos resultados entre esses exames utilizou-se índice de Kappa. RESULTADOS: Afecções endometriais mais freqüentes: pólipos (58 por cento), sinéquias (20 por cento), mioma submucoso (12 por cento) e espessamento endometrial (6 por cento). Cavidade normal (4 por cento) dos exames histeroscópicos. A sensibilidade da histerossonografia para diagnóstico de pólipo foi de 89,7 por cento; a especificidade de 81 por cento e o (K) de 71,1 por cento. Para sinéquia a sensibilidade foi de 80 por cento, a especificidade 100 por cento e o (K) de 86,5 por cento; para mioma submucoso: a sensibilidade foi de 83,3 por cento; a especificidade de 97,7 por cento e o (K) de 81,1 por cento e para espessamento endometrial a sensibilidade foi de 33,3 por cento, a especificidade de 89,4 por cento e o (K) de15,5 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: A histerossonografia apresentou ótima concordância com a histeroscopia para sinéquias e miomas submucosos; boa concordância para pólipo e péssima concordância para espessamentos endometriais. Revelou-se, também, tratar-se de método simples, eficiente e que pode ser utilizado para a avaliação da cavidade uterina em mulheres após menopausa.

[Sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography in endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women]. / Sensibilidade e especificidade da histerossonografia nas afecções endometriais em mulheres assintomáticas pós-menopausa.

BACKGROUND: To estimate sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography for diagnosis of endometrial cavity abnormalities. The gold-standard was hysteroscopy; to compare the agreement between ultrasonographic, hysterosonographic and hysteroscopic findings using the KIA (Kappa Index Agreement). METHODS: Fifty asymptomatic postmenopausal women that had a suspicion of endometrial abnormalities based upon transvaginal ultrasonography were studied. Hysterosonography, diagnostic hysteroscopy and oriented biopsy were performed and the Kia was used to compare results. RESULTS: The most frequent abnormalities were polyps (58%), synechiae (20%), submucous myoma (12%) and endometrial thickening (6%). The uterine cavity was considered normal in 4% of the evaluations by hysteroscopy. The sensitivity of hysterosonography to diagnose polyps was of 89.7%, the specificity of 81.0% and the KIA of 71.1%. For synechia sensitivity of hysterosonography was of 80%, specificity of 100% and the KIA of 86.5%; for submucous myoma sensitivity was of 83.3%; specificity of 97.7% and the KIA of 81.1%, and for endometrial thickening, sensitivity was of 33.3%, specificity of 89.4% and the KIA of 15.5%. CONCLUSION: Hysterosonography showed very good agreement with hysteroscopy for the diagnosis of synechiae and submucous myomas; good agreement for polyps and poor agreement for endometrial thickening. Based upon this data hysterosonography may be deemed a simple, efficient, and accurate method for the evaluation of the uterine cavity in the postmenopausal period.