Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with early impairment of vascular structure and a low-grade chronic inflammation. Aldosterone is a well-recognized cardiovascular risk (CVR) factor and is related to inflammatory processes.
Objective: Our objective was to investigate serum aldosterone levels in PCOS and correlate them to some CVR factors and early atherosclerotic markers.
Design and setting: A prospective baseline-controlled clinical study was conducted at the University "Federico II" of Naples School of Medicine (Naples, Italy).
Patients: Fifty PCOS women age- and body mass index-matched with 50 healthy women were enrolled.
Mean outcome measures: Anthropometric, hormonal, and metabolic patterns, including plasma aldosterone, renin, and C-reactive protein, were measured in each subject. Intima-media thickness was also evaluated in each patient and control.
Results: Aldosterone levels were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in PCOS compared with healthy women (10.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 5.7 +/- 2.5 ng/dl). In PCOS, a significant (P < 0.001) direct correlation between plasma aldosterone and homeostasis model assessment, C-reactive protein, intima-media thickness, and mean blood pressure was found. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and potassium were inversely (P < 0.001) related to serum aldosterone. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the area under the curve for insulin and homeostasis model assessment was linearly related to aldosterone in PCOS.
Conclusion: PCOS women show an insulin resistance related increase in serum aldosterone levels.