Data concerning metabolic consequences in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are delivered mainly by cross-sectional studies. In this research, we re-examined 31 Caucasian PCOS women after a median period of 120.9 months to evaluate the changes in metabolic syndrome components. Clinical examination, oral glucose tolerance test with estimations of glucose and insulin, lipids, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and sex hormones assessments were performed on two occasions. Additionally, the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique was used at the baseline to assess insulin sensitivity (M-clamp value). In the end, the median age of participants was 35. We observed an increase in glucose concentrations, a decrease in insulin concentrations and no changes in insulin resistance markers. Final mean glucose, mean insulin, Matsuda index and body mass index (BMI) were correlated with baseline M-clamp value and SHBG (p < 0.01). During the follow-up, no one in the sample developed diabetes. The annualised incidence rate for conversion from normoglycaemia to prediabetes totalled 4.5%. Baseline BMI, free androgen index, fasting glucose and M-clamp value were identified as prediabetes predictors in young PCOS women (respectively, OR = 1.17, OR = 1.42, OR = 1.2, OR = 0.73, p < 0.05). Prediabetes appeared in 76.47% of the women with a final BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2 and in 7.14% of the normal-weight women (p = 0.0001). In conclusion, we report a high rate of adverse change in glucose metabolism in overweight and obese participants, a deterioration in β-cell function and strong correlations between metabolic parameters assessed in the third and the fourth decade in PCOS women, emphasising the role of early intervention to prevent cardiometabolic diseases.

The purpose of this study was to perform a review of the longitudinal studies to determine whether polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with higher prevalence of metabolic complications and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The primary outcomes included body mass index, metabolic syndrome and its components (waist circumference, lipid profile, arterial hypertension, abnormal glucose metabolism (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes), insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases like stroke, angina, and coronary heart disease. Complications in pregnant women were beyond the scope of this review. PubMed database (1992-2018) was searched to identify proper publications. Finally, data from 47 articles were analysed. Studies differed in the design (prospective, retrospective, cohort, observational), research methods, polycystic ovary syndrome diagnostic criteria, studied populations, race, and ethnicity of the participants. Based on the data collected, it appears that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher prevalence of obesity, abdominal fat distribution, dyslipidaemia and deterioration of glucose metabolism, but increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is not proven.

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The knowledge of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) natural history is limited. Our objective was to assess the effect of aging on clinical, hormonal and sonographic ovarian PCOS features and additionally to identify parameters that impact the course of PCOS. A secondary aim was to supply additional information on the reproductive outcome in women with previously diagnosed PCOS. A longitudinal cohort study with a median follow-up of 120.9 months was conducted, and 31 Caucasian women previously diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria were re-examined at a median age of 35. Clinical examinations; transvaginal ultrasound scans; and lipid, E-selectin and sex hormone assessments were performed at the beginning and at the end of the follow-up. It was observed that menstrual cycles became regular and sonographic morphology of ovaries was normalized in 55% and 49% of the participants, respectively (all p < 0.05). At the final assessment, 55% of the women no longer met the criteria for PCOS (p < 0.05). The age, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and E-selectin assessed at the baseline were the most important predictors of the PCOS persistence into later years (respectively, OR = 0.84, OR = 0.39, OR = 1.08, all p < 0.05). Ninety-five percent of the patients who had ever been trying to conceive became pregnant a minimum of once. The women with persistent PCOS had worse metabolic and reproductive parameters compared to the women with resolved PCOS. Positive correlations were found between the number of miscarriages and ovarian volume, LH, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and an increase in E-selectin during the follow-up (R = 0.46, R = 0.59, R = 0.54, R = 0.49, R = 0.47, all p < 0.05). In conclusion, progressing from the third to the fourth decade is connected with a reduction in PCOS features, which seems to have a great impact on fertility of women with a previous diagnosis of PCOS. FSH and E-selectin, as determined at the initial PCOS diagnosis, had an impact on the disappearance of the syndrome years after.