Predictors of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health

Comparative Analysis of Psychosocial Outcomes and Quality of Life Among Nulligravida, Primigravida, and Multigravida Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder that significantly impacts women's physical and mental health. While its metabolic and reproductive effects are well-documented, its psychosocial impact-particularly across different reproductive stages-remains underexplored. Gravidity may influence psychological outcomes, with nulligravida women facing fertility-related distress, primigravida women experiencing pregnancy-related anxiety, and multigravida women dealing with cumulative stress and worsening PCOS symptoms. This study aims to compare anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life (QoL) among these groups to inform targeted, stage-specific interventions that improve psychosocial well-being in women with PCOS. Objective This study aims to compare psychosocial well-being across nulligravida, primigravida, and multigravida women with PCOS. The findings will inform the development of targeted interventions that address the specific psychosocial needs of each reproductive group. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2023 to December 2024 at Mardan Medical Complex, involved women aged 18-45 diagnosed with PCOS based on established clinical guidelines. Participants were systematically sampled and categorized by pregnancy history into nulligravida, primigravida, and multigravida groups. Validated instruments were used to assess depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and other relevant statistical methods to compare outcomes across the groups. Results In this study of 510 women with PCOS, significant differences were observed across the three gravidity groups. Multigravida women had the highest mean age (32.57±4.76 years) and the highest prevalence of a family history of PCOS (40; 57.14%). Primigravida women exhibited the highest BMI (31.21±3.82) and reported the most favorable quality of life, with 56 (20.51%) rating it as Good. However, this group also had the highest levels of severe anxiety, with 211 (77.29%) reporting it. Severe depression was most prevalent among nulligravida women, with 119 (71.26%) experiencing it, while multigravida women reported the poorest quality of life, with 45 (64.29%) rating it as Poor and 28 (40%) as Very Poor. Multigravida women also had the highest stress levels, with 71 (71.43%) patients reporting high stress, and experienced the most severe PCOS symptoms, including hirsutism in 25 (35.71%) patients and acne in 37 (52.85%) patients. In comparison, severe hirsutism was observed in 49 (29.34%) of nulligravida women and 46 (16.85%) of primigravida women, while severe acne was present in 61 (36.53%) of nulligravida women and 139 (50.92%) of primigravida women. Conclusion These findings highlight the vital importance of personalized, stage-specific care in the effective management of PCOS, ensuring that interventions are responsive to the distinct needs and psychosocial challenges encountered by women at various reproductive stages.

Possible Effect of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): An Update

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women during the fertile period. Women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing major cardiovascular risk factors during the fertile period: obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. The possible effect of PCOS on cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in different studies, but the results are not clear for several reasons. Indeed, most of the studies analyzed a cohort of fertile women who, given their relatively young age, have a low frequency of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, longitudinal studies have a short follow-up period, insufficient to draw firm conclusions on this topic. Finally, pharmacological treatment is limited by the lack of specific drugs available to specifically treat PCOS. In this review, we report on studies that analyzed the possible effect of PCOS on the most common CVD (hypertension, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular event) and available drugs used to reduce CVD in PCOS women.

Thick endometrium is associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in programmed frozen-thawed embryo transfers: a retrospective analysis of 2,275 singleton deliveries

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether endometrial thickness (EMT) acts as a contributing factor to adverse perinatal outcomes in programmed frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University-based reproductive medical center.

SUBJECT

The study included singleton live births resulting from programmed FET cycles that took place between January 2017 and April 2022 (N = 2,275 cycles).

EXPOSURE

The EMT measurement conducted on the day of progesterone initiation was utilized. Programmed FET cycles with EMT <7 mm were excluded from consideration. All included subjects were divided into 4 groups on the basis of the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of EMT: group Ⅰ (EMT ≤8 mm, n = 193), group Ⅱ (EMT = 8.1-10 mm, n = 1,261), group Ⅲ (EMT = 10.1-12 mm, n = 615), and group Ⅳ (EMT >12 mm, n = 206). After adjusting for patient demographics and FET parameters, logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were used to investigate the relationship between EMT and perinatal outcomes. The group Ⅱ (EMT = 8.1-10 mm) served as a reference.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The primary outcome measure was the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Secondary outcomes included gestational diabetes mellitus, cesarean delivery, placenta previa, premature rupture of membrane, birthweight, preterm birth, low birthweight, macrosomia, small for gestational age, large for gestational age and neonatal morbidity.

RESULTS(S)

The incidence of HDP was substantially elevated in group Ⅳ when compared with the other groups (5.7% vs. 4.1% vs. 5.7% vs. 9.7% for groups Ⅰ-Ⅳ, respectively). In addition, group I displayed a higher incidence of cesarean deliveries, whereas both group I and group IV exhibited an elevated prevalence of placenta previa. After adjusting for confounding factors, patients in group IV exhibited a significantly increased risk of HDP (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-3.67) as compared with patients in the reference group. The restricted cubic spline model revealed a nonlinear association between EMT and the odds of HDP on continuous scales. In comparison to women with an EMT of 9.5 mm, there was no significant change in the risk of HDP in women with EMT between 7 and 11 mm, as indicated by adjusted ORs of 1.37 (95% CI 0.41-4.52), 1.34 (95% CI 0.73-2.47), 1.13 (95% CI 0.79-1.62), 1.04 (95% CI 0.87-1.25), and 1.46 (95% CI 0.81-2.65), respectively. However, the risk of HDP was significantly higher in women with EMT ranging from 12 to 15 mm, with adjusted ORs of 1.86 (95% CI 1.03-3.35), 2.33 (95% CI 1.32-4.12), 2.92 (95% CI 1.52-5.60), and 3.62 (95% CI 1.63-8.04), respectively.

CONCLUSION(S)

This study demonstrated a noteworthy association between EMT and adverse perinatal outcomes during the programmed FET cycles. Specifically, a thick endometrium (EMT >12 mm) was independently associated with an increased risk of developing HDP, whereas the optimal EMT for reducing the risk of HDP was at around 9-10 mm.

Progress of the application clinical prediction model in polycystic ovary syndrome

Clinical prediction models play an important role in the field of medicine. These can help predict the probability of an individual suffering from disease, complications, and treatment outcomes by applying specific methodologies. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease with a high incidence rate, huge heterogeneity, short- and long-term complications, and complex treatments. In this systematic review study, we reviewed the progress of clinical prediction models in PCOS patients, including diagnosis and prediction models for PCOS complications and treatment outcomes. We aimed to provide ideas for medical researchers and clues for the management of PCOS. In the future, models with poor accuracy can be greatly improved by adding well-known parameters and validations, which will further expand our understanding of PCOS in terms of precision medicine. By developing a series of predictive models, we can make the definition of PCOS more accurate, which can improve the diagnosis of PCOS and reduce the likelihood of false positives and false negatives. It will also help discover complications earlier and treatment outcomes being known earlier, which can result in better outcomes for women with PCOS.

Clinical management of pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An expert opinion

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a higher risk for pregnancy and birth complications according to the specific features associated with PCOS. The features include obesity before and during pregnancy, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, infertility, cardiometabolic risk factors, and poor mental health. PCOS is not often recognized as a risk factor for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes in pregnancy care guidelines, while its associated features are. Pregnancy-related risk profile should ideally be assessed for modifiable risk factors (e.g., lifestyle and weight management) at preconception in women with PCOS. Hyperglycaemia should be screened using a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at preconception or within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy if it has not been performed at preconception and should be repeated at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. In the absence of evidence of benefit for strategies specific to women with PCOS, the international evidence-based guidelines for the assessment and management of PCOS recommend screening, optimizing, and monitoring risk profile in women with PCOS (at preconception, during and postpregnancy) consistent with the recommendations for the general population. Recommended factors include blood glucose, weight, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, sleep and mental health, emotional, and sexual health among women with PCOS. The guidelines recommend Metformin in addition to lifestyle for assisting with weight management and improving cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly in those with overweight or obesity. Letrozole is considered the first-line pharmacological treatment for anovulatory infertility in PCOS. Individualized approach should be considered in the management of pregnancy in PCOS.

Adverse Effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer: Propensity Score-Matched Study

PURPOSE

This work aimed to evaluate the adverse effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on pregnancy outcomes of singletons after vitrification in women with frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

METHODS

Patients with/without PCOS who underwent FET from January 2013 and December 2018 were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the influence of bias. Logistic regression was applied to identify the risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes of singletons in women with PCOS.

RESULT

After PSM, the PCOS group had shorter gestational age (P<0.001) and lower newborn birth weight than the non-PCOS group (P=0.045). Compared with the non-PCOS group, the PCOS group had an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (P<0.001), placenta and membrane abnormality (P<0.001), stillbirth (P<0.001), neonatal complication (P=0.014), and miscarriage rate (P<0.001). Neonatal complication was associated with parity (adjusted OR=1.202, 95% CI=1.002-1.443, P=0.048) and basal P level (adjusted OR=1.211, 95% CI=1.021-1.436, P=0.028). According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, the miscarriage rate was related to parity (adjusted OR=1.201, 95% CI=1.057-1.166, P=0.005) and basal E2 (adjusted OR=1.002, 95% CI=1.000-1.004, P=0.019) and P levels on the day of embryo transfer (adjusted OR=0.971, 95% CI=0.957-0.985, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with non-PCOS women, women with PCOS have a higher risk of GDM and PIH, and neonatal complications and therefore require additional care during pregnancy and parturition.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an independent risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

PURPOSE

The risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is inconsistent in some studies. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the evidence regarding the strength of the association between PCOS and HDP.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify observational studies investigating HDP in patients with PCOS. The primary outcome was the pooled odds ratio (OR) of HDP, including pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and pre-eclampsia (PE), in women with PCOS compared with the non-PCOS population.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. PCOS was associated with a higher risk of HDP (OR 2.02, 95CI% 1.83-2.22), including PIH (OR 1.94, 95CI% 1.70-2.21), and PE (OR 2.07, 95CI% 1.91-2.24). The association remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and nulliparity (HDP: OR 1.48, 95CI% 1.48-1.60; PIH: OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.29-1.57; PE: OR 2.07, and 95%CI 1.91-2.24). The increased risk of HDP for the PCOS group remained significant in subgroups of BMI, Age, singleton pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hyperandrogenism, and nulliparity, while the finding was not observed in subgroups of nonhyperandrogenic and non-GDM. In the meta-regression, BMI contributed significantly to the heterogeneity in the prevalence of HDP.

CONCLUSIONS

PCOS is independently associated with a significantly increased risk of HDP. To prevent HDP during pregnancy, our findings highlight the importance of establishing supervision guidelines for PCOS patients, especially in the population with hyperandrogenism and GDM.