There appears to be a divergence between women's experience and attitudes of healthcare professionals. The diagnosis, support and lived experience of women with polycystic ovary syndrome could be enhanced by better professional recognition of these concerns, improved knowledge and communication about polycystic ovary syndrome and better access to support and specialist advice.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but these risks are poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the evidence for these risks and whether screening and risk reduction are feasible. Medline reviews and data quality analysis were used using standard tools. Results showed that (i) polycystic ovary syndrome is a risk factor forT2DM but the magnitude of risk is uncertain, (ii) fasting plasma glucose is an inadequate screening test forT2DM in this population and the oral glucose tolerance test is superior, (iii) the identification of women with PCOS for diabetes screening is constrained by current diagnostic criteria for PCOS; however, women with oligomenorrhoea and those with diagnosed PCOS and obesity or a family history of T2DM are at highest risk, (iv) risk factors for T2DM are improved by weight loss interventions and by metformin. However, no studies have determined whether T2DM incidence is reduced, (v) polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors but data on CVD incidence are weak, (vi) risk factors for CVD are improved by the same interventions and statins and (vi) no studies have evaluated whether CVD incidence is reduced. While PCOS has important metabolic associations, and short-term interventions reduce risk factors for T2DM and CVD, data on prevalence and incidence of T2DM and particularly CVD are poor. There is a need for a clear definition of PCOS, for diabetes screening protocols and for long-term studies to determine whether risks can be reduced.

The relationship between Ca2+ and lens fiber cell communication was investigated in the isolated intact rat lens by using radiotracer and electrophysiological techniques. The lens internal calcium was increased by adding the SH oxidant diamide (1 mM), by incubating in a sodium-free (n-methylglucamine) solution or by increasing external calcium from 1 to 10 mM. A 12 hours incubation in diamide produced a ten-fold increase in 45Ca uptake into the lens which was accompanied by a ten-fold increase in internal resistance. Incubation in Na-free solution or in 10 mM Ca2+ both produced a 5-fold increase in 45Ca content, while the increase in internal resistance was five and six fold respectively. This uncoupling was prevented in the diamide and Na-free treated lenses by omitting Ca2+ from the incubation medium. Fiber cell uncoupling was noticed in each of these experimental conditions after approximately 5 hours incubation, and good recovery was obtained in the high calcium solution if the stress was removed. The calmodulin antagonists calmidazolium (3 microM) and W7 (100 microM) both prevented uncoupling in the high calcium solution, provided there was a 2 hours preincubation period in calcium-free solution containing antagonist before the stress was applied. These data indicate that lens fiber cell communication is required by Ca2+ and calmodulin.