Self-Reported Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is Associated With Hypertension: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

Abstract

Context

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with many traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, but it is unclear whether PCOS is an independent risk factor for hypertension.

Objective

To investigate in a population-based setup whether PCOS associates with the risk of hypertension independently of body mass index (BMI) and with cardiovascular manifestations.

Design

Cross-sectional assessments in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at ages 31 and 46 years.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Women who reported both oligo/amenorrhea and hirsutism at age 31 years and/or a diagnosis of PCOS by age 46 years [self-reported PCOS (srPCOS), n = 279] and women without PCOS symptoms or diagnosis (n = 1577).

Intervention

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Blood pressure (BP), BMI, and cardiovascular manifestations.

Results

Use of antihypertensive medication was significantly more common in women with srPCOS. At age 31 years, women with srPCOS had significantly higher systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) than control women (SBP: normal weight: 119.9 ± 13.2 vs 116.9 ± 11.4 mm Hg, P = 0.017; overweight/obese: 126.1 ± 14.3 vs 123.0 ± 11.9 mm Hg, P = 0.031; and DBP: normal weight: 75.5 ± 10.0 vs 72.4 ± 9.6 mm Hg, P = 0.003; overweight/obese: 80.7 ± 11.8 vs 78.0 ± 10.6 mm Hg, P = 0.031). At age 46 years, srPCOS was significantly associated with hypertension (adjusted odds ratio = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.13) independently of BMI and with higher cardiovascular morbidity (6.8% vs 3.4%, P = 0.011). Hypertensive srPCOS displayed consistent, unfavorable changes in cardiac structure and function compared with controls.

Conclusion

Women with srPCOS displayed higher BP compared with controls already at early age and srPCOS was associated with hypertension independently of overweight/obesity. srPCOS was associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity in premenopausal women, suggesting that cardiovascular disease risk factors should be screened and efficiently managed early enough in women with PCOS.

Abstract

In a prospective cohort study, polycystic ovary syndrome was associated with hypertension, independently of body mass index, and increased cardiovascular morbidity, in early premenopause.