Editorial

Thrombocytosis in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Reactive or Culpable?

Authors: Sandeep Ajoy Saha, MD, FACP

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 6-10% of women in the reproductive age-group, and is a common cause of female infertility. PCOS is a heterogeneous endocrine condition which in its classic phenotype is characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic ovulation abnormalities, and the presence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.1 About 60% of PCOS patients have central or abdominal obesity, and 50-70% of these patients have evidence of impaired glucose tolerance due to peripheral insulin resistance, regardless of coexistent obesity. In addition, young patients with PCOS are vulnerable to a host of other cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and many patients meet the criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Although the diagnostic criteria for PCOS have been updated several times over the past decade, the overall epidemiological evidence suggests that the cardiovascular risk in classic PCOS patients is much higher than women without this condition.2

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 2004;81:19-25.
 
2. Wild RA, Carmina E, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, et al. Assessment of cardiovascular risk and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (AE-PCOS) Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab2010;95:2038-2049.
 
3. Repaci A, Gambineri A, Pasquali R. The role of low-grade inflammation in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011;355:30-41.
 
4. Orio F Jr, Palomba S, Cascella T, et al. The increase of leukocytes as a new putative marker of low-grade chronic inflammation and early cardiovascular risk in polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90:2-5.
 
5. Dasanu CA, Clark BA 3rd, Ichim TE, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome: focus on platelets and prothrombotic risk. South Med J 2011;104:174-178.
 
6. Kebapcilar L, Taner CE, Kebapcilar AG, et al. High mean platelet volume, low-grade systemic coagulation and fibrinolytic activation are associated with androgen and insulin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2009;280:187-193.
 
7. Kebapcilar L, Taner CE, Kebapcilar AG, et al. Comparison of four different treatment regimens on coagulation parameters, hormonal and metabolic changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2010;281:35-42.
 
8. Anfossi G, Russo I, Trovati M. Platelet dysfunction in central obesity. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2009;19:440-449.