Trial Information

The Relationship Between Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness, Insulin Resistance and Plasma Adiponectin Concentrations In Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized with chronic oligo/unovulations,
hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is mostly attributed to visceral
adipose tissue. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) is in close relation with
atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and its importance in PCOS is not determined yet.
Thus, we aimed to clarify EATT in patients with PCOS and compare with healthy matched
controls. In addition we searched plasma adiponectin levels to clarify its relationship with
EATT in patients with PCOS.

Settings: EATT was determined by echocardiography. Insulin resistance is calculated as
HOMA-IR and plasma adiponectin levels were determined with ELISA radioimmunoassay at Gülhane
School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Patients: Patients with PCOS and healthy controls who were similar in body mass index (BMI)
and age (p=0.118, p=0.081, respectively) were enrolled in the study after having their
written consents.

Results: Mean EATT and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher (p=0.001, p=0.001,
respectively) while plasma adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower (p=0.0032) in
patients with PCOS than controls. There was no correlation between plasma adiponectin levels
and EATT in subjects (p=0.824). EATT levels were in positive correlation with HOMA-IR,
plasma triglyceride concentrations and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.022, p=0.027, p=0.022,
respectively). HOMA-IR, triglyceride levels, HDL-Cholesterol, LH/FSH ratio were most
powerful determinants of EATT in logistic regression modeling (p=0.016, p=0.021, p=0.049,
p=0.039, respectively).

Conclusion: EATT is increased in patients with PCOS in concordance with HOMA-IR level and
these findings may reflect the increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in
this particular patient group.