CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy that affects women of reproductive age, characterized by a series of clinical manifestations, such as menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism and the presence of polycystic ovaries. In addition to these symptoms, PCOS has been linked to a significant increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Women with PCOS often exhibit a variety of cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These factors may predispose these patients to long-term adverse cardiovascular events, making understanding and managing these risks a crucial aspect of PCOS treatment. The scientific literature has extensively investigated these associations, seeking to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and the best therapeutic approaches to mitigate these risks. Objective: to examine and synthesize clinical manifestations and cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS, highlighting recent evidence on the topic to guide future research and clinical practices. Methodology: this review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were used to search for articles. The five descriptors used were "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome", "Cardiovascular Risk", "Women", "Clinical Manifestations" and "Insulin Resistance". The inclusion criteria were: studies published in the last ten years, articles available in full text and studies that specifically addressed the relationship between PCOS and cardiovascular risk factors. Exclusion criteria included case studies, non-systematic reviews and articles that did not directly address the female population with PCOS. Results: indicated that insulin resistance was one of the main clinical manifestations in women with PCOS, significantly contributing to increased cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia was markedly higher in this group compared to the general population. Hypertension was also frequently observed, reinforcing the need for continuous monitoring and early intervention. Additional studies have highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary management that includes lifestyle modifications and, when necessary, pharmacological interventions. Conclusion: the review revealed that women with PCOS have a high cardiovascular risk profile, with multiple clinical manifestations that aggravate this risk. Early identification and adequate management of these factors are essential to improve the cardiovascular health of these patients. The literature has emphasized the need for integrated therapeutic approaches to mitigate risks and improve the quality of life of women with PCOS.