Carotid artery intima-media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Nazanin Farshchian; Parisa Bahrami Kamangar; Mohammad Reza Ghasempour

doi:10.18502/ijrm.v22i9.17480

Carotid artery intima-media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Int J Reprod Biomed. 2024 Nov 14;22(9):749-754. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i9.17480. eCollection 2024 Sep.

Authors

Nazanin Farshchian¹, Parisa Bahrami Kamangar¹, Mohammad Reza Ghasempour¹

Affiliation

¹ Radiology Department, Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an acceptable marker in assessing the risk of heart disease.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the CIMT in PCOS women compared to non-PCOS women.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 women who referred to Imam Reza hospital, Kermanshah, Iran from July 2020-2021. Women were divided into 2 groups of PCOS and non-PCOS women (n = 24/each). The intima-media thickness of participants' carotid artery was measured on both sides in 3 areas, and its mean was recorded.

Results: The mean thickness of the carotid artery intima-media in the case group was within the normal range; but it was significantly higher than the control group (0.71 $\pm$ 0.17 vs. 0.57 $\pm$ 0.09 mm, p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Considering the higher thickness of CIMT in women with PCOS, it can be concluded that PCOS increases the risk of heart diseases in women.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease.; Carotid artery; Intima media thickness; Polycystic ovary disease.