Increased plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in young obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Fertil Steril. 2010 Jul; 94(2):666-72.FS
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate carotid intima-media thickness and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and age-matched healthy controls, and to investigate their relationship with each other and with clinical, metabolic, and hormonal parameters.
DESIGN
Clinical study.
SETTING
University hospital.
PATIENT(S)
Fifty young women with PCOS (overweight or obese [n = 24] and nonobese [n = 26]) and 25 age-matched healthy controls.
INTERVENTION(S)
History and physical examination, peripheral venous blood sampling, carotid ultrasonography.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, serum FSH, LH, DHEAS, total T, E(2), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin resistance defined by the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, and carotid intima-media thickness.
RESULT(S)
Plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in the overweight or obese PCOS group were significantly higher than those in the nonobese PCOS and control groups. Carotid intima-media thickness did not significantly differ between the groups. Obesity and insulin resistance were associated positively with plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels, but there was no association between carotid intima-media thickness and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor.
CONCLUSION(S)
Young overweight or obese women with PCOS have increased plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels. Impaired fibrinolysis may be responsible for the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in women with PCOS.
