Polycystic ovary syndrome in post-menopausal women - marker of the metabolic syndrome

Objectives: To determine among post-menopausal women, the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to evaluate the endocrine and metabolic profile of these women in comparisons to women without PCOS. Methods: All women attending two post-menopausal outpatient clinics, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were evaluated by physical examination, detailed questionnaire and laboratory measurements of glucose, lipids and sex-hormone levels. Results: Among 104 women 7 (6.7%) were diagnosed with PCOS. As compared to women without PCOS, central obesity was more common in the PCOS group (p = 0.004), 4/7 had type 2 diabetes compared to 8/97 in the non-PCOS group (p = 0.003) and 6/7 versus 31/97 had the characteristic dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome (p = 0.047). Conclusions: PCOS is common in post-menopausal women attending outpatient's clinics, and is a marker for a metabolic profile that is associated with a high-risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.