Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Triggers Atrial Conduction Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely related to various adverse cardiovascular manifestations and increased cardiovascular risk. However, atrial fibrillation (AF) development and atrial conduction abnormalities have not been thoroughly studied in patients with PCOS. Methods: This meta-analysis (CRD42021261375) was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Our aim was to investigate associations between PCOS and disorders in atrial conduction parameters linked with an increased risk for AF occurrence. Results: Five cohort studies with aggregate data on 406 adult women (229 with PCOS and 177 age-matched without PCOS) were included in this analysis. Our results showed a significantly increased mean difference in P-wave maximum duration (+7.63 ± 7.07 msec; p < 0.01) and P-wave dispersion (+11.42 ± 5.22 msec; p = 0.03) of patients with PCOS compared to healthy women. The mean difference in P-wave minimum duration (−2.22 ± 2.68 msec; p = 0.11) did not reach the statistical threshold between the compared groups. Echocardiographic measurements of atrial electromechanical delay (AED) also indicated a statistically significant mean difference in favour of the PCOS group in all assessed parameters, except for atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) in the tricuspid annulus. Particularly, PCOS was associated with increased lateral PA, septal PA, inter- and intra-AED durations (mean difference: +17.31 ± 9.02 msec; p < 0.01, +11.63 ± 7.42 msec; p < 0.01, +15.31 ± 9.18 msec; p < 0.01, +9.31 ± 6.85 msec; p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: PCOS is strongly associated with alterations in several electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters indicating abnormal atrial conduction. Therefore, PCOS could be considered as a causal or triggering factor of AF. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and investigate direct associations between PCOS and AF.

Commentary on Studies Citing This Author Concerning Doodling as a Measure of Burnout

“…As merely an introduction to the special issue, it does not intend to further the research on doodling. Instead, the explanation is given that the special issue was created to provide high-quality papers on several aspects of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health sciences [1,[18][19][20][21]. Other than that of [1], none of the papers published in this special issue relates to doodling behavior.…”

Health Sciences before, during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In addition, Moysidis et al explored the interplay between polycystic ovary syndrome and atrial fibrillation based on the data derived from electrocardiographic and echocardiographic studies. Their findings reflect that polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by abnormal atrial conduction, as the meta-analysis point out that there is a prolonged maximum P-wave duration, an increased P-wave dispersion, increased echocardiographic measurements of atrial electromechanical delay, as well as altered electromechanical coupling parameters in the aforementioned endocrine disorder [ 11 ].…”