Aumento do risco cardiovascular em mulheres com síndrome do ovário policístico / Increased cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objetivo: A síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) é uma alteração endócrina comum em mulheres que estão em fase reprodutiva. Essa patologia pode estar relacionada a fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicações cardiometabólicas, o que a torna um tema relevante para discussão, visto sua grande prevalência na população feminina. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura com o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco associados à SOP e verificar se há maior risco cardiovascular para as mulheres com essa síndrome. Fonte de dados: Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, National Library of Medicine, Scientific Eletronic Library Online e EbscoHost, com os seguintes descritores: "Síndrome do ovário policístico e riscos cardiovasculares"; "Mulheres, policístico e riscos cardiovasculares"; "Ovário policístico e riscos" e "Mulheres, ovários policísticos"; "Polycystic ovary and risks"; "Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risk" e "Polycystic ovaries and cardiovascular". Seleção de estudos: Foram encontrados 21 artigos, dos quais 15 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão previamente estabelecidos. Foram incluídos os artigos originais e as publicações entre o período de 2014 e 2021 que relacionavam diretamente a síndrome aos riscos cardiovasculares, síndromes metabólicas e alterações lipídicas. Coleta de dados: A estratégia de seleção dos artigos foi realizada mediante busca nas bases de dados selecionadas, leitura dos títulos de todos os artigos encontrados e exclusão daqueles que não abordavam o assunto, leitura crítica dos resumos dos artigos e leitura na íntegra dos artigos selecionados nas etapas anteriores. Síntese de dados: Todos os autores afirmam que a síndrome é um distúrbio ovulatório e metabólico, uma vez que a resistência à insulina e a consequente hiperinsulinemia compensatória podem ser exacerbadas pela coexistência da obesidade, presente em muitas mulheres com SOP. Além disso, foram identificados os fatores de risco tradicionais para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, e 93,33% dos artigos analisados demonstraram que, entre as mulheres com a síndrome, alguns fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de tais doenças parecem apresentar uma chance maior de estarem presentes. Conclusão: Ao final dessa revisão, foi possível responder à pergunta clínica proposta, pois todos os artigos pesquisados concluíram e trouxeram estudos comprovando que mulheres com a SOP possuem maiores chances de desenvolver algum problema cardiovascular precoce, devido a fatores como o hiperandrogenismo e o aumento da gordura visceral e da resistência insulínica.(AU)

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder, common in women who are in the reproductive phase. This pathology may be related to risk factors for the development of cardiometabolic complications, which makes it a relevant topic for discussion, given its high prevalence in the female population. This is an integrative literature review with the aim of identifying the risk factors associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and verifying whether there is a higher cardiovascular risk for women with this syndrome. Data source: A search was performed in the Virtual Health Library databases; National Library of Medicine; Scientific Electronic Library Online and EbscoHost, with the following descriptors: "Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risks"; "Women, polycystic and cardiovascular risks"; "Polycystic ovaries and risks" and "Women, polycystic ovaries"; "Polycystic ovary and risks"; "Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risk" and "Polycystic ovaries and cardiovascular". Study selection: Twenty-one articles were found, of which 15 met the previously established inclusion criteria. Original articles and publications between the period 2014 and 2021 that directly related the syndrome to cardiovascular risks, metabolic syndromes and lipid disorders were included. Data collect: The article selection strategy was performed by searching the selected databases; reading the titles of all articles found and excluding those that did not address the subject; critical reading of the abstracts of the articles and full reading of the articles selected in the previous steps. Data synthesis: All authors state that the Syndrome is an ovulatory and metabolic disorder, since insulin resistance and consequent compensatory hyperinsulinemia can be exacerbated by the coexistence of obesity, present in many women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, traditional risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases were identified, with 93.33% of the articles analyzed showing that, among women with the syndrome, some risk factors for the development of such diseases seem to have a chance greater than being present. Conclusion: At the end of this review, it was possible to answer the proposed clinical question, as all the researched articles concluded and brought studies proving that women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to develop an early cardiovascular problem, due to factors such as hyperandrogenism, the increase in visceral fat and insulin resistance.(AU)

Síndrome de ovario poliquístico: casos confirmados y tratamiento en consulta externa del Hospital Escuela Universitario / Polycystic ovary syndrome: confirmed cases and treatment in the outpatient clinic of ̈Hospital Escuela Universitario

El síndrome de ovario poliquísticoes unaendocrinopatía frecuente en la mujer en edad fértil, causado por exceso de andrógenos y es causa de infertilidad anovulatoria. Actualmente uno de los criterios utilizados para el diagnóstico, son los de Rotterdam y para esto se necesita de la clínica (hiperandrogenismo y disfunción ovulatoria), exámenes de laboratorio (hiperandrogenismo) y/o ultrasonido característico de dicho síndrome. Objetivo:determinar el síndrome de ovario poliquístico confirmado por métodos laboratoriales e imágenes y tratamiento indicado en consulta externa del Hospital Escuela Universitario. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, transversal, no aleatorio. Se revisaron 56 expedientes de pacientes con el diagnóstico de síndrome de ovario poliquístico valorados mediante criterios de Rotterdam, 31(55.4%) tenian diagnóstico ultrasonográfico. Se utilizó un instrumento de recolección de datos tipo cuestionario registrandose lo siguiente: edad, sintomatología, exámenes laboratoriales, diagnóstico con descripción ultrasonográficas y tratamiento farmacológico. Resultados: con el diagnóstico de síndrome ovario poliquístico, 31(55.4%) teníandiagnósticos1 Médico especialista en ginecología y obstetricia, Hospital Escuela Universitario2Estudiante de sexto año, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.Autor de correspondencia: Silder Moncada Correo electrónico: silderjavier78@gmail.comRecibido: 19/09/2017Aceptado: 07/02/2019ultrasonográficos, en 26(83.9%) pacientes no se encontró consignado en el expediente síntomas de hiperandrogenismo, se consignó acantosis nigricans en 2(6.5%), alopecia y acné 3(9.7%), respectivamente como signo hiperandrogénico. Los fármacos utilizados para tratar síndrome de ovario poliquístico fueron metformina y anticonceptivos orales. Conclusión: el diagnóstico y tratamiento de síndrome de ovario poliquístico no sigue protocolos estandarizados, ya que de los 31 expedientes con resultado por ultrasonido, solo 5(16.1%) reunían los criterios para el diagnóstico de dicha patología...(AU)

Tear osmolarity and tear function assessment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome / Avaliação da osmolaridade lacrimal e da função lacrimal em pacientes com síndrome dos ovários policísticos

ABSTRACT Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disease characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Hormonal changes can affect tear function. This study evaluates tear function and impact of hyperandrogenism on it in PCOS patients. Methods: Fifty patients with PCOS and thirty control volunteers were examined for tear break-up time, Schirmer-I and tear osmolarity. Also, serum levels of total testosterone, FSH, LH and AMH were determined in venous blood samples in the early follicular phase. PCOS patients were divided into two groups by plasma total testosterone level: Group A with normal (≤0.513 ng/ml;n=27), Group B with higher hormone level (>0.513 ng/ml;n=23). Healthy control group indicated as Group C (n=30). Results: LH, total testosterone levels were higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p=0.012; p=0.025). Mean values of tear break-up time and Schirmer-I were different between groups and especially Group A and C were near to each other differing from B (p>0.05). Tear osmolarity results were higher in Group B, compared to A and C (p=0.049; p=0.033). No significant difference detected in tear osmolarity value means of Group A and C (p=0.107). AMH levels were higher in Group B, compared to A and C (p=0.002; p=0.001). AMH levels in Group A were higher than that of C (p=0.002). Positive correlation between levels of total testosterone and AMH was detected in all PCOS patients (n=50;Pearson's r=0.579; p<0.001). Conclusion: Tear function can be affected in PCOS patients with hyperandrogenism. Tear osmolarity is the most sensitive and objective assessment method for ocular surface changes in PCOS.

RESUMO Objetivo: A síndrome do ovário policístico (SOP) é uma doença endócrina caracterizada por anovulação crônica e hiperandrogenismo. As alterações hormonais podem afetar a função cardíaca. Este estudo avalia a função lacrimal e o impacto do hiperandrogenismo sobre ela em pacientes com SOP. Métodos: Cinquenta pacientes com SOP e trinta voluntárias de controle foram examinadas para tempo de ruptura lacrimal, Schirmer-I e osmolaridade lacrimal. Além disso, os níveis séricos de testosterona total, FSH, LH e HAM foram determinados em amostras de sangue venoso na fase folicular precoce.As pacientes com SOP foram divididas em dois grupos por nível de testosterona plasmática total: Grupo A com nível normal (≤0.513 ng/ml; n = 27), Grupo B com nível superior de hormônio (> 0,513 ng/ml; n = 23). Grupo de controle saudável indicado como Grupo C (n = 30). Resultados: Os níveis de LH e testosterona total foram maiores no grupo com SOP do que no grupo controle (p = 0,012; p = 0,025). Os valores médios de tempo de ruptura lacrimal e Schirmer-I foram diferentes entre os grupos, e especialmente os Grupos A e C estavam próximos um do outro, diferente do B (p > 0,05). Os resultados de osmolaridade lacrimal foram maiores no Grupo B, em comparação com A e C (p = 0,049; p = 0,033). Não houve diferença significativa detectada em valor médio de osmolaridade lacrimal nos Grupos A e C (p = 0,107). Os níveis de HAM foram maiores no Grupo B, em comparação com A e C (p = 0,002; p = 0,001). Os níveis de AMH no Grupo A foram superiores aos de C (p = 0,002). Uma correlação positiva entre os níveis de testosterona total e AMH foi detectada em todas as pacientes com SOP (n = 50; Pearson's r = 0,579; p < 0,001). Conclusão: a função lacrimal pode ser afetada em pacientes com SOP com hiperandrogenismo. A osmolaridade lacrimal é o método de avaliação mais sensível e objetivo para alterações da superfície ocular em SOP.

Contribuição do hiperandrogenismo para o desenvolvimento de síndrome metabólica em mulheres obesas com síndrome dos ovários policísticos / Contribution of hyperandrogenism to the development of metabolic syndrome in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a contribuição do hiperandrogenismo para o desenvolvimento da síndrome metabólica (SM) em mulheres obesas com ou sem Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos (SOP). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal retrospectivo no qual foram incluídas 60 mulheres obesas com fenótipo clássico da SOP - Consenso de Rotterdam - e 70 obesas sem SOP. A SM foi diagnosticada pelos critérios do NCEP-ATP III. A obesidade foi definida pelo índice de massa corpórea e o hirsutismo, pelo Índice de Ferriman-Gallwey (IFG). As dosagens realizadas foram: testosterona total, sulfato de dehidroepiandrosterona (SDHEA), insulina e glicose, colesterol total, HDL e triglicerídios. A resistência insulínica (RI) foi avaliada pelo HOMA-IR e pelo índice de sensibilidade à insulina de Matsuda e De Fronzo. A analise estatística foi realizada com o teste t de Student, teste do χ² e análise de regressão logística multivariada (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: As obesas com SOP apresentaram significativamente maiores valores de IFG (15,4±6,1), circunferência da cintura (105,6±11,4 cm), testosterona (135,8±71,4 ng/dL), SDHEA (200,8±109,2 µg/dL), HOMA-IR (8,4±8,5) e menores valores de ISI (2,0±1,8) quando comparadas às obesas não SOP (3,2±2,1; 101,4±9,2 cm; 50,0±18,2 ng/dL; 155,0±92,7 µg/dL; 5,1±4,7; 3,3±2,7, respectivamente) (p<0,05). A frequência de SM foi significativamente maior nas obesas com SOP (75%) do que nas obesas não SOP (52,8%) (p=0,01). A análise multivariada não demonstrou contribuição das variávies IFG, testoterona total e SDHEA para o desenvolvimento da SM (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Mulheres obesas com SOP apresentam maior frequência de SM quando comparadas às obesas não SOP. O hiperandrogenismo não mostrou influência nesse grupo de mulheres estudadas.

PURPOSE: To assess the contribution of hyperandrogenism to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted on 60 obese women with classic PCOS phenotype - Rotterdam Consensus - and 70 non-PCOS obese women. MetS was diagnosed by the NCEP-ATP III criteria and obesity was defined by body mass index. The Ferriman-Gallwey score (mFG) was used to evaluate hirsutism. The following measurements were performed: total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), glucose and insulin, total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. Insulin resistance was measured using the HOMA-IR and insulin sensitivity index of Matsuda and De Fronzo (ISI). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test, χ² test and multivariate logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: Obese women with PCOS had significantly higher mFG (15.4±6.1), waist circunference (105.6±11.4 cm), DHEA-S (200.8±109.2 µg/dL), testosterone (135.8±71.4 ng/dL), and HOMA-IR (8.4±8.5) values and lower ISI values (2.0±1.8) than non-obese PCOS women (3.2±2.1; 101.4±9.2 cm; 155.0±92.7 µg/dL; 50.0±18.2 ng/dL; 5.1±4.7 and 3.3±2.7, respectively) (p<0.05). The frequency of MetS was higher in PCOS obese (75%) than non-PCOS obese (52.8%) women (p=0.015). Multivariate analysis did not reveal the contribution of the variables IFG, testosterone, and DHEAS to the development of MetS (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Obese women with PCOS have a higher frequency of metabolic syndrome than non-PCOS obese women, and hyperandrogenism does not contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome in this group of women.

Hiperandrogenización prenatal en ratas y el metabolismo lipídico en la vida adulta / The role of prenatal hyperandrogenism on lipid metabolism during adult life in a rat model

El síndrome del ovario poliquístico (PCOS) es una afección de alta incidencia en mujeres en edad fértil. Si bien la etiología de la enfermedad se desconoce, se cree que la exposición a andrógenos durante la vida intrauterina generaría reprogramación fetal afectando vías endocrinas y metabólicas que, junto a alteraciones génicas y ambientales, inducirían la aparición de PCOS en etapas muy tempranas de la vida. Es por ello que se buscan marcadores tempranos del desarrollo de PCOS. Utilizando un modelo murino de hiperandrogenización prenatal (HA) recreamos dos fenotipos de PCOS: ovulatorio y anovulatorio. La HA no alteró el colesterol circulante pero disminuyó el colesterol HDL y aumentó el LDL y los triglicéridos (TG) con respecto a los controles. La relación colesterol total/HDL como marcador de riesgo cardiovascular y la relación TG/HDL se vieron incrementadas con respecto a los controles, resultando mayor en el grupo PCOS anovulatorio. El presente trabajo demuestra la importancia de la determinación del perfil lipídico a edades tempranas en poblaciones de riesgo (como es el caso de hijas de madres con PCOS).

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine diseases that affect women in their reproductive ages; however, the etiology of the syndrome remains unknown. A hypothesis proposes that during gestation increased exposure of androgen would induce fetal programming that may increase the risk of PCOS development during the adult life. By means of a prenatally hyperandrogenized (HA) rat model we demonstrated the importance of determining the lipid profile at early ages. HA induced two different phenotypes: ovulatory and anovulatory PCOS. HA did not modify total cholesterol but decreased HDL cholesterol and increased both LDL and tryglicerides (TG) when compared with controls. Both, the ratio total cholesterol: HDL (marker of cardiovascular risk) and TG:HDL (marker of metabolic syndrome) were increased in the HA group with respect to controls. In addition, these abnormalities were stronger in the anovulatory than ovulatory phenotype. Our results point out the need to find early markers of PCOS in girls or adolescents with increased risk to develop PCOS (as in daughters of women with PCOS).

Molecular & genetic factors contributing to insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of unknown etiology. Insulin resistance is very common and plays a central pathogenic role in PCOS. During last decade several studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms contributing to the state of insulin resistance and insulin-induced hyperandrogenemia in PCOS. Insulin signaling pathways have been dissected in different insulin responsive tissues such as skeletal muscles, adipose tissues, fibroblasts as well as ovaries to elucidate the mechanism. These studies suggest a post receptor signaling defect where metabolic action of insulin is affected but not the steroidogenic and mitogenic actions. Despite advancement in these studies gaps exist in our understanding of the mechanism of insulin resistance as well as insulin-induced steroidogenesis in PCOS. The syndrome is now considered as a complex multigenic disorder. Efforts are ongoing to dissect the variants of genes from multiple logical pathways which are involved in pathophysiology of the syndrome. But still today no gene has been emerged as universally accepted susceptibility gene for PCOS. This review briefly describes the lacunae along with the current status of molecular events underlying insulin resistance and the contribution of insulin signaling pathway genes in pathogenesis of PCOS along with future researchable areas.

Síndrome de ovario poliquístico en la adolescencia: ¿Qué criterios diagnósticos utilizar? / Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence: what diagnostic criteria used?

A los efectos de comprender los criterios diagnósticos de Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico vigentes y su posible aplicación en la adolescencia, se realiza una revisión de los cambios ocurridos desde 1990 hasta la fecha. Se reconoce la trascendencia que ha tenido cada una de las instancias de consenso, la importancia de las características claves que definen la disfunción ovárica y el hiperandrogenismo, así como los diferentes fenotipos resultantes con posibilidad de pasaje de uno a otro. No obstante, se concluye que los criterios vigentes no son herramientas suficientes para poder establecer el diagnóstico en adolescentes, ya que se confunden con el proceso normal de esta etapa. Mientras no surjan nuevas evidencias, se recomienda utilizar estos criterios cuando la edad ginecológica sea superior a dos años con reclasificación a los dos años siguientes.

Alopecia de patrón femenino / Female pattern hair loss

La alopecia androgénetica femenina, o alopecia de patrón femenino, es una de las causas más frecuentes de caída de pelo. Su aparición origina importante estrés y problemas psicológicos; de ahí la importancia de un manejo adecuado. Hay casos que se asocian a hiperandrogenismo. En este trabajo revisamos las distintas formas clínicas, discutimos las pruebas de laboratorio más indicadas y los distintos tratamientos, entre ellos, la finasterida.

Female androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss is one of the most frequent causes of hair loss. It can originate high stress and psychological problems, and a correct approach is therefore important. Certain cases are associated with hyperandrogenism. In this report we review the different clinical patterns, the most indicated laboratory tests and the different treatments, including finasteride.

La exposición prenatal a andrógenos como factor de reprogramación fetal / Prenatal exposure to androgens as a factor of fetal programming

Both epidemiological and clinical evidence suggest a relationship between the prenatal environment and the risk of developing diseases during adulthood. The first observations about this relationship showed that prenatal growth retardation or stress conditions during fetal life were associated to cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases in later life. However, not only those conditions may have lasting effects after birth. Growing evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to steroids (either of fetal or maternal origin) could be another source of prenatal programming with detrimental consequences during adulthood. We have recently demonstrated that pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome exhibit elevated androgen levels compared to normal pregnant women, which could provide an androgen excess for both female or male fetuses. We have further tested this hypothesis in an animal model of prenatal androgenization, finding that females born from androgenized mothers have a low birth weight and high insulin resistance, that starts at an early age. On the other hand, males have low testosterone and LH secretion in response to a GnRH analogue test compared to control males and alterations in seminal parameters. We therefore propose that our efforts should be directed to modify the hyperandrogenic intrauterine environment to reduce the potential development of reproductive and metabolic diseases during adulthood.

Role of the pentanucleotide (tttta)n polymorphisms of Cyp11alpha gene in the pathogenesis of hyperandrogenism in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To determine the (tttta)n repeat polymorphisms at the promoter region of CYP11alpha gene, and study its linkage to hyperandrogenism of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Chinese women, a case-control study was conducted in the Reproductive Medical Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, China). 96 PCOS patients and 78 healthy control women were included. CYP11alpha (tttta)n repeat-polymorphism genotyping analysis was performed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum pituitary hormone and total testosterone levels were measured by ELISA. 4 different CYP11alpha (tttta)n allelles were identified, corresponding to 4-, 6-, 8-, and 9-repeat-unit alleles. The frequency and distribution of these alleles are 0.16, 0.33, 0.38, and 0.13 respectively in PCOS patients, as compared with 0.20, 0.34, 0.35, and 0.11 respectively in healthy controls. There were no significant differences between these two groups. Moreover, no correlation between the polymorphism of CYP11alpha gene and serum testosterone level of patients with PCOS and controls was observed. It is concluded that microsatellite polymorphism (tttta)n of gene CYP11alpha exists in Chinese women and the polymorphism of CYP11alpha gene does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of Chinese patients with PCOS, especially in patients with hyperandrogenism.

Repercussöes clínicas a longo prazo do hiperandrogenismo / Clinical consequences of hyperandrogenism

Os autores revisaram a literatura com o objetivo de evidenciar as repercussöes clínicas do hirsutismo sobre a saúde da mulher. O estado hiperandrogênico, associado com anovulaçäo crônica, determina as alteraçöes no perfil lipídico que predispöem a maior risco de doenças cardiovasculares. Ressalta-se a importância da obesidade - característica encontrada na maioria das anovuladoras crônicas hiperandrogênicas - e da hiperinsulinemia. Outra repercussäo importante é a associaçäo com alteraçöes endometriais, notadamente o carcinoma de endométrio. Diante do que foi observado na literatura se recomenda que as pacientes com hirsutismo associado à anovulaçäo devem ser acompanhadas, atuando-se na prevençäo destas complicaçöes.

Evaluación integral hormonal de mujeres con hiperandrogenismo (utilidad del estímulo con ACTH de depósito)

En el presente trabajo evaluamos hormonalmente, durante un año, 51 mujeres con evidencia de hiperandrogemismo endógeno y 15 controles sanas, que acudieron al servicio de endocrinología del Hospital Militar Central de Santafé de Bogotá, mediante estimulación con ACTH de depósito (synacthén depósito, Ciba Geigy) para conocer con qué frecuencia se encontraba síndrome de ovario androgénico, hiperplasia adrenal congénita no clásica, hiperprolactinemia e hiperandrogenismos idiopáticos.

Hiperandrogenemia e insulinorresistencia / Hyperandrogenemia and insulin-resistance

El hiperandrogenismo ovárico funcional es un trastorno de alta prevalencia en las mujeres de edad fértil; más del 30 por ciento de ellas presenta insulinorresistencia (IR). Estas pacientes están expuestas a desarrollar una diabetes no insulinodependiente (DMNID) a edades más tempranas que en la población general. La etiología de la insulinorresistencia asociada a hiperandrogenemia es parcialmente conocida. Se ha observado que la insulina en altas concentraciones estimula la producción de andrógenos en la teca y el estroma de ovarios obtenidos de mujeres con insulinorresistencia e hiperandrogenismo. Se postula, por lo tanto, que sería la insulinorresistencia la que al condicionar una hiperinsulinemia llevaría a una hiperandrogenemia a través del efecto estimulador de la insulina sobre las células tecales del ovario vía receptor de IGF-I. Además la insulina reduce la SHBG aumentando la fracción libre de andrógeno y disminuye la IGFBP-I, lo que aumenta el efecto de IGF-I sobre el ovario. Debido a que los andrógenos son atretogénicos, la insulina favorece la atresia folicular y la mayor secreción de andrógenos por el ovario lo que tiene como consecuencia una disminución de la producción de estrógenos, lo que crea un desbalance en favor de los andrógenos

Etiological review of hirsutism in 250 patients

Two hundred fifty women with hirsutism were studied, with a mean age of 25.5 years (ranging from 13 to 38 years). The evolution of hirsutism varied from 3 months to 13 years, being minimal in 82 patients (33 per cent), mild in 101 (40 per cent), moderate in 56 (23 per cent) and severe in the remaining 11 women (4 per cent). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was diagnosed in 134 patients (53 per cent), overweight or obesity in 45 (18 per cent), late-onset adrenal hyperplasia in five (2 per cent), ovarian tumor in two (0.8 per cent), drug-induced hirsutism and Cushing's syndrome in one patient each (0.4 per cent), and idiopathic hirsutism in 62 cases (25 per cent). Among 67 patients with moderate or severe hirsutism, testosterone was elevated in 21 (31 per cent). In 117 out of 206 (57 per cent) cases polycystic ovaries were observed by ultrasound. Fifty-four patients were treated with a combination of 2 mg cyproterone acetate and 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol, observing improvement of hirsutism in 32 patients (59 per cent). It is concluded that PCOS is the most frequent cause of hirsutism, but an important proportion of cases without evident etiology remain classified as idiopathic hirsutism