Dataset Information

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with NASH severity and advanced fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of reproductive-aged women, and is marked by irregular menses and high androgens. PCOS is a known risk factor for imaging-confirmed steatosis, and we now aim to evaluate whether PCOS influences histologic severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

Retrospective study of women ages 18-45 years with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD between 2008 and 2019. Metabolic comorbidities were captured within 6 months of biopsy. Histologic features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were independently evaluated by two pathologists blinded to PCOS status.

Results

Among 102 women meeting study criteria, 36% (n = 37) had PCOS; median age was 35 years; 27% were white, 6% black, 19% Asian and 47% reported Hispanic ethnicity. Women with PCOS had higher LDL (122 vs 102 mg/dL, P = .05) and body mass index(BMI) (38 vs 33 kg/cm² , P < .01). NASH was present in 76% of women with PCOS vs 66% without PCOS (P = .3), and a higher proportion with PCOS had severe ballooning (32% vs 13%, P = .02), presence of any fibrosis (84% vs 66%, P = .06) and advanced fibrosis (16% vs 6%, P = .10). Adjusted for age and BMI, PCOS remained associated with severe hepatocyte ballooning (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.6, P = .03) and advanced fibrosis (OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.3-39, P = .02). Among women with advanced fibrosis, median age was 5 years younger in those with as compared to those without PCOS (40 vs 45 years, P = .02).

Conclusion

Polycystic ovary syndrome is independently associated with more severe NASH, including advanced fibrosis. Hepatologists should routinely inquire about PCOS in reproductive-aged women with NAFLD, and evaluate for more severe liver disease in this population.

SUBMITTER: Sarkar M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6980925 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with NASH severity and advanced fibrosis.

Sarkar Monika M Terrault Norah N Chan Wesley W Cedars Marcelle I MI Huddleston Heather G HG Duwaerts Caroline C CC Balitzer Dana D Gill Ryan M RM

Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver 20191112 2

<h4>Background</h4>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of reproductive-aged women, and is marked by irregular menses and high androgens. PCOS is a known risk factor for imaging-confirmed steatosis, and we now aim to evaluate whether PCOS influences histologic severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).<h4>Methods</h4>Retrospective study of women ages 18-45 years with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD between 2008 and 2019. Metabolic comorbidities were captured within 6 months of biopsy. ...[more]

PMID: 31627243

Similar Datasets

Project description:<p><b>PCOS</b> is a complex genetic disease reflecting the interplay of susceptibility genes and environmental factors. The cardinal reproductive feature of the syndrome, hyperandrogenemia, appears to play a direct role in the pathogenesis of the associated metabolic abnormalities. Male as well as female first-degree relatives have reproductive and metabolic phenotypes including increased prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic syndrome (MBS) and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Northwestern University (NU) investigators lead a team that has extensive experience in phenotyping PCOS and in the genetic analysis of complex diseases including genome-wide association study (GWAS). Together with an expert group of collaborators from the Hershey Medical Center, and The University of Chicago, we have conducted a GWAS to identify PCOS susceptibility alleles using a large cohort of extensively and consistently phenotyped PCOS cases. Population controls for this study come from the NUgene project described below.</p> <p><b>NUgene project</b>: In 2002, Northwestern committed to the development of a DNA repository to serve as a platform for the identification and validation of genotype-phenotype associations that will impact healthcare. The NUgene Project is a repository with longitudinal medical information from participating patients at affiliated hospitals and outpatient clinics from the Northwestern University Medical Center. Participants' DNA samples are coupled with data from a questionnaire (2 versions were used, 1 before and 1 after February 2006, both are included) and continuously updated data from our Electronic Medical Record (EMR) representing actual clinical care events. Northwestern has a state-of-the art, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient EMR system of over 2 million patients. NUgene has broad access to participant data for all outpatient visits as well as inpatient data via a consolidated data warehouse. NUgene participants consent to distribution and use of their coded DNA samples and data for a broad range of genetic research by third-party investigators.</p>

Project description:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was hypothesized to result from functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) due to dysregulation of androgen secretion in 1989-1995. Subsequent studies have supported and amplified this hypothesis. When defined as otherwise unexplained hyperandrogenic oligoanovulation, two-thirds of PCOS cases have functionally typical FOH, characterized by 17-hydroxyprogesterone hyperresponsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation. Two-thirds of the remaining PCOS have FOH detectable by testosterone elevation after suppression of adrenal androgen production. About 3% of PCOS have a related isolated functional adrenal hyperandrogenism. The remaining PCOS cases are mild and lack evidence of steroid secretory abnormalities; most of these are obese, which we postulate to account for their atypical PCOS. Approximately half of normal women with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) have subclinical FOH-related steroidogenic defects. Theca cells from polycystic ovaries of classic PCOS patients in long-term culture have an intrinsic steroidogenic dysregulation that can account for the steroidogenic abnormalities typical of FOH. These cells overexpress most steroidogenic enzymes, particularly cytochrome P450c17. Overexpression of a protein identified by genome-wide association screening, differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic development 1A.V2, in normal theca cells has reproduced this PCOS phenotype in vitro. A metabolic syndrome of obesity-related and/or intrinsic insulin resistance occurs in about half of PCOS patients, and the compensatory hyperinsulinism has tissue-selective effects, which include aggravation of hyperandrogenism. PCOS seems to arise as a complex trait that results from the interaction of diverse genetic and environmental factors. Heritable factors include PCOM, hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, and insulin secretory defects. Environmental factors include prenatal androgen exposure and poor fetal growth, whereas acquired obesity is a major postnatal factor. The variety of pathways involved and lack of a common thread attests to the multifactorial nature and heterogeneity of the syndrome. Further research into the fundamental basis of the disorder will be necessary to optimally correct androgen levels, ovulation, and metabolic homeostasis.

Project description:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disease among premenopausal women, is caused by both genes and environment. We and others previously reported association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DENND1A gene and PCOS. We therefore sequenced the DENND1A gene in white patients with PCOS to identify possible alterations that may be implicated in the PCOS pathogenesis. Patients were referred with PCOS and/or hirsutism between 1998 and 2011 (n = 261). PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria (n = 165). Sequence analysis was performed in 10 patients with PCOS. Additional patients (n = 251) and healthy female controls (n = 248) were included for SNP genotyping. Patients underwent clinical examination including Ferriman-Gallwey score (FG-score), biochemical analyses and transvaginal ultrasound. Mutation analysis was carried out by bidirectional sequencing. SNP genotyping was tested by allelic discrimination in real-time PCR in the additional patients and controls. Sequencing of the DENND1A gene identified eight SNPs; seven were not known to be associated with any diseases. One missense SNP was detected (rs189947178, A/C), potentially altering the structural conformation of the DENND1A protein. SNP genotyping of rs189947178 showed significantly more carriers among patients with PCOS and moderate hirsutism compared to controls. However, due to small sample size and lack of multiple regression analysis supporting an association between rs189947178 and FG-score or PCOS diagnosis, this could be a false positive finding. In conclusion, sequence analysis of the DENND1A gene of patients with PCOS did not identify alterations that alone could be responsible for the PCOS pathogenesis, but a missense SNP (rs189947178) was identified in one patient and significantly more carriers of rs189947178 were found among patients with PCOS and moderate hirsutism vs. controls. Additional studies with independent cohort are needed to confirm this due to the small sample size of this study.

Project description:BackgroundThis study was undertaken to explore the treatment-seeking pathways traversed by women with PCOS and elicit their behavior, experiences and perspectives regarding it.MethodsThis concurrent mixed-method study was conducted on 18-40 years old women diagnosed with PCOS at the Gynecology outpatient department, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. Of the 275 women, who were administered a questionnaire to elicit their treatment-seeking behavior, 62 willing participants were subjected to in-depth interviews. Quantitative responses were descriptively analyzed and presented as count, proportion, mean or median. Framework analysis was performed for the qualitative data. The findings of both types of data were triangulated to construct the pathways to treatment traversed by PCOS patients.FindingsMany (~45%) respondents had no information regarding PCOS. Only 9.1% received some information from their doctors. Though the internet was the primary source of information for 37.5% of respondents, they expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of information. Multiple health care agencies were consulted by most (85.8%) of the respondents. Allopathy was the preferred choice of treatment. The average delay in initiating the treatment was 3 months. The major reasons for this were ignorance, the concept of 'normality' and 'endurance'. Deviations from the normal self (like irregular-menstruation, obesity, hirsutism, infertility) were the concern that led them to consult a doctor. They were also dissatisfied with the treatment due to a late diagnosis, lack of relief, taboo, side-effects, expenses involved and the need for repeated laboratory tests. Participants' course of treatment was influenced by the interplay of individual, distress, health-system, and social-economic factors.ConclusionsWomen with PCOS were dissatisfied with the quality of the information and treatment received. There were treatment delays. The patients consulted multiple health agencies, including indigenous therapies, in the hope of relief. The findings provide an empirical basis on points to focus on for building better coping strategies for managing the condition.

Dataset Information

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with NASH severity and advanced fibrosis.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with NASH severity and advanced fibrosis.

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