Polycystic ovary syndrome with feasible equivalence to overweight as a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development and severity in Mexican population

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinology disorder in women of reproductive age; these patients have a higher risk of suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We determine the frequency of NAFLD in Mexican patients with PCOS and matched-controls. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study, with 98 women of 18–44 years old. Rotterdam 2003 criteria integrated PCOS diagnosis. Those with significant alcohol consumption, chronic liver disease, use of steatogenic drugs, and pharmacological PCOS treatment or fertility protocol were excluded. Controls were matched in a 1:1 ratio by age and body mass index (BMI). The presence of NAFLD was determined by transient elastography performed by a single experienced operator. Results: A total of 98 female volunteers at reproductive age were recruited. NAFLD denoted markedly higher in patients with than without PCOS at 69.3% vs. 34.6%, respectively. Compared to controls, PCOS patients had a significantly higher risk of NAFLD (OR = 4.26, 95% CI 1.83–9.93). Severe steatosis was the most frequent NAFLD stage between women with PCOS and NAFLD. Patients with hyperandrogenism have a significantly higher mean CAP 277.83 dB/m than controls without hyperandrogenism 191.57 dB/m. NAFLD prevalence was 84.3% in PCOS patients with phenotype A, while in another phenotype, it was 41.1%. Conclusions: PCOS is an independent risk factor for NAFLD development. NAFLD screening needs to be considered in all PCOS patients independently of BMI, except in PCOS patients without hyperandrogenism and BMI < 25.

Keywords

• Liver steatosis
• PCOS phenotype
• Hyperandrogenism
• NAFLD screening