Autonomic dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To assess the autonomic system in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: Thirty-seven adult patients with PCOS and 33 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The electrophysiological assessments of the autonomic nervous system function were performed using sympathetic skin response and R–R interval variation tests. Results: The mean latency of sympathetic skin response in PCOS patients was significantly delayed compared with the controls (p = 0.001). The mean amplitude of sympathetic skin response was significantly lower in comparison with the controls (p = 0.01). Mean R–R interval variation during deep breathing was also significantly delayed (p = 0.04). Conclusion: There are parasympathetic dysfunction and sympathetic dysfunction in patients with PCOS. This may be easily demonstrated with sympathetic skin response and R–R interval variation tests.

Keywords

• autonomic dysfunction
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• R–R interval variation
• sympathetic skin response