Objective: We sought to verify if an oral contraceptive (OC) containing drospirenone affects the cardiovascular risk of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Study design: A total of 28 women with PCOS (16 lean [group A] and 12 overweight [group B]) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months therapy with an OC. Leptin, homocysteine, endothelin-1, and flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery were measured.
Results: The brachial artery diameter and the pulsatility index, after the reactive hyperemia, did not change in group A; it improved significantly in group B after 6 months of treatment. At baseline and after therapy the plasma levels of homocysteine and endothelin-1 did not differ among the groups. Leptin was significantly lower at baseline in group A compared to group B.
Conclusion: The OC containing drospirenone does not seem to affect the surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk in lean patients with PCOS.
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