A Case-Control Study of the Carotid Intima Media Thickness as a Good Predictor of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in South Indian Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background and Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a diverse condition whose likelihood of heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the future is often disregarded. We need to predict the risk sooner due to the intrinsic propensity for CVD in Indians, increased prevalence in South Indians, and PCOS patients. The objectives are: 1. To elicit the presence of CVD risk factor in pcos patients 2. Considering CIMT (Carotid Intima Media Thickness) as a good predictor for CVD risk Methods: A total of 50 cases and 50 age and weight (+/-2 kg) matched controls were included in this study. We assessed the CIMT by the Doppler system with electrical linear transducer midfrequency of 10 MHz. Results: Women with PCOS had a greater CIMT (0.05 ± 0.01 cm in cases vs. 0.03 ± 0 cm in controls; p < 0.001). The CIMT of the cases is increased over their controls by 42.4% (014mm), P ≤0.001. The r value of age and CIMT is more when compared to the r value of weight and CIMT in both cases and controls (Age and CIMT: cases: r= 0.431 & controls: r =0.312) (Weight and CIMT: cases: r = 0.164 & controls: r =0.233). Conclusion: In PCOS , CIMT is a good indicator of CVD risk. When opposed to an individual's weight, age shows a stronger positive correlation with CIMT. Hence, PCOS patients must get an early CIMT scan. CIMT must be a crucial component of PCOS management and CVD risk alleviation.