Impact of body mass index on blood pressure levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

As there is controversy about the prevalence of hypertension in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and, up to the present moment, no studies have evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on blood pressure levels (BP) in these patients, we studied retrospectively sixty-nine patients with PCOS, with BMI of 29.0 ± 6.7 kg/m 2 and aged 25.6 ± 5.6 yr, subdivided into three groups according to BMI (normal, overweight and obese) and evaluated regarding BP (mercury sphygmomanometer), basal hormonal profile, fasting glucose, and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR). Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were normal (118.1 ± 17.0 and 74.7 ± 11.5 mmHg, respectively), with a hypertension prevalence of 20.3%. Of these patients, 78.6% were obese and 21.4% were overweight. When the groups were compared according to BMI, a significant increase in SBP and DBP was observed (higher in overweight and obese patients for SBP and higher in obese for DBP), as well as a significant progressive increase in glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment, and a significant progressive decline in LH levels. When the patients were subdivided as normotensive or hypertensive, a significant difference was observed only for BMI (28.2 ± 6.1 and 34.7 ± 8.6 kg/m 2 , respectively; p = 0.007). In conclusion, we observed a significant and progressive impact of BMI on blood pressure levels in our patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. RESUMO Impacto do Índice de Massa Corporal nos Níveis de Pressão Arterial em Pacientes com Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos.Como há controvérsia sobre a prevalência de hipertensão arterial em pacientes com a síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) e, até o momento, nenhum estudo avaliou o impacto do índice de massa corporal (IMC) sobre a pressão arterial (PA), foram estudados retrospectivamente 69 pacientes com a SOP, com IMC de 29,0 ± 6,7 kg/m 2 e idade de 25,6 ± 5,6 anos, subdivididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o IMC (normal, sobrepeso e obesos) e avaliados com relação à PA, perfil hormonal basal, glicemia de jejum e sensibilidade à insulina (HOMA-IR). As médias das pressões arteriais sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) foram normais (118,1 ± 17,0 e 74,7 ± 11,5 mmHg, respectivamente), com uma prevalência de hipertensão de 20,3%. Das pacientes hipertensas, 78,6% eram obesas e 21,4% apresentavam sobrepeso. Quando os grupos, subdivididos de acordo com o IMC, foram comparados, aumento significativo da PAS e PAD foi observado (PAS maior nas pacientes com sobrepeso e obesas e PAD maior nas pacientes obesas), assim como um aumento progressivo da glicemia, insulina e HOMA-IR, e um decréscimo significante e progressivo de LH. Quando as pacientes foram subdivididas em normotensas e hipertensas, diferença significativa foi observada somente para IMC (28,2 ± 6,1 e 34,7 ± 8,6 kg/m 2 , respectivamente; p = 0,007). Em conclusão, observamos um impacto significativo e progressivo do IMC sobre os níveis pressóricos em nossas pacientes com a síndrome dos ovários policísticos.

Effect of body mass index on clinical manifestations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…In a study of the influence of BMI on hypertension in patients with PCOS, Etling et al [11] found a higher prevalence of high blood pressure among women with a BMI greater than 27. Similar findings for a correlation between increasing blood pressure and increasing BMI were also reported by Cristiano et al [12], who studied 69 patients with PCOS to determine the impact of BMI on blood pressure levels.…”

“…In a study with menopausal and perimenopausal women, a higher incidence of hypertension was observed among patients with PCOS [11]. As reports on the relationship between BMI and PCOS are scarce [12], we carried out the present study to determine whether there is a correlation between BMI and blood pressure and/or the typical clinical features in women with PCOS. …”

Obesity, but not polycystic ovary syndrome, affects circulating markers of low-grade inflammation in young women without major cardiovascular risk factors

“…48 The presence of overweight (BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m 2 ) is associated with the increase of some CV risk factors, which has been demonstrated in patients with PCOS. 41,49 For this reason, we considered it highly appropriate to compare obese subjects with women with normal BMI (BMI between 18-25 kg/m 2 ) and not with overweight (BMI between 25-30 kg/m 2 ).…”

Ovarian Hypertension: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…19 Another population study from Brazil demonstrated similar findings in 69 women with PCOS when divided by BMI into normal, overweight, and obese categories and revealed a hypertension prevalence of 20.3%,;78.6% of these were obese and 21.4% were overweight. 66 An examination of a Czech population of PCOS women in their early 30s compared to non-PCOS women revealed that, after adjusting for BMI, PCOS women had higher blood pressure. 58 In a population of Dutch women with PCOS aged 45-54 yrs old, the prevalence of hypertension was 2.5 times greater than that of an age-matched Dutch female population.…”