Purpose: to evaluate the lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and compare it to that of women with ovulatory menstrual cycles. Methods: the patients were divided into two groups, obese and nonobese, based on body mass index, so that it would be possible to determine the joint effect of PCO and obesity on the lipid metabolism of the studied women. We studied 117 women divided into 4 groups: group I (PCO--obese), n = 33; group II (PCO--nonobese), n = 27; group III (control--obese), n = 28; group IV (control--nonobese), n = 29. Results: cholesterol levels were elevated (179 mg/dl) in obese patients with ovulatory cycles (group III) compared to group I (147 mg/dl) and group II (149 mg/dl), as also were triglyceride levels (117 mg/dl) compared to group IV (77 mg/dl) and LDL levels (117 mg/dl) compared to group I (82 mg/dl). Conclusion: these data suggest that alterations in lipid profile are related to obesity only.
Polycystic ovary syndrome; Obesity; Cholesterol; Triglycerides; Chronic anovulation
