Research Summary

Patients With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Have Increased Mortality Risk

Jessica Ganga

Researchers have found that patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have a higher risk of mortality compared to those without the disease.1 The study findings were presented at this year’s ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting, in Chicago, Illinois.

The researchers conducted a registry-based, case-controlled study that assessed the risk of increased mortality in patients with PCOS (n = 9839) compared to those without the disease (n = 70,705). A 1:3 match was conducted using the data to see whether patients with PCOS have increased all-cause, or cause-specific mortality.

“The major finding of this study is that women with PCOS had 47% higher risk for overall mortality than control women. The mortality due to diseases of the cardiovascular system was increased by 67% and mortality due to tumors by 38% when compared to the control group. Women with PCOS also had triple the risk of death due to diabetes and lung infection,” co-author Terhi Piltonen, MD, PhD, said in a press release.2

Further, in an unadjusted analysis, the researchers found that patients with PCOS had an increased rate of mortality from endocrine, nutrition, or metabolic diseases. And with an adjusted analysis, researchers found an increased risk of mortality due to diseases of the circulatory system, diabetes, and bronchitis.

The researchers’ findings highlight an increased need for additional research on PCOS and its mortality risk, and how the disease could be prevented. Further, as researchers continue to uncover mortality risk associated with PCOS and other diseases, more research needs to be done on the prevention of PCOS-related comorbidities.

“The results highlight the need for improving the care of diabetes, lung infections and cardiovascular diseases to prevent the excess mortality of women with PCOS,” Dr Piltonen said in a press release.2

 

Reference:

  1. Basile LM, Wrubel J. Patients with PCOS have a 47% increased risk of mortality, one study suggests. MDLinx. Published June 15, 2023. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://www.mdlinx.com/article/patients-with-pcos-have-a-47-increased-risk-of-mortality-one-study-suggests/3pCZLu6cQhAqngZzYsUjEO?show_order=1&utm_campaign=reg_daily-alert_230617_daily-nl-am-v4_registered-users-a90&utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20reproductive%20endocrinology
  2. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may face increased risk of death. Newswise. June 9, 2023. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://www.newswise.com/faseb/women-with-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-may-face-increased-risk-of-death/