Summary
Clinical parameters, androgen status and lipoprotein lipid profiles were assessed
in 10 non-obese and 10 obese patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and reference
subjects matched for age, height and weight. Both obese and non-obese women with PCOD
had significantly higher androgen levels when compared to the reference groups. When
comparison of lipoprotein lipid profiles were made between groups, non-obese women
with PCOD had significantly higher total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol
levels than non-obese reference subjects. Obese PCOD women manifested significantly
higher total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol/HDL, and LDL/HDL values than
did obese reference subjects. Correlations between serum androgens and lipoprotein
lipid concentrations in PCOD and normal women were unhelpful. Both non-obese and obese
patients with PCOD had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures
(BPs) than the reference groups. Thus, both non-obese and obese women with PCOD manifest
hyperandrogenaemia which may result in a male pattern of lipoprotein lipid concentrations.
Key words
Androgens - Lipids - Obese and Non-Obese PCOD - Hyperandrogenism - Hyperlipidaemia