Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Clinical and biochemical signs of polycystic ovary syndrome in young women born preterm
List of Authors: Paalanne Marika, Vääräsmäki Marja, Mustaniemi Sanna, Tikanmäki Marjaana, Wehkalampi Karoliina, Matinolli Hanna-Maria, Eriksson Johan, Järvelin Marjo-Riitta, Morin-Papunen Laure, Kajantie Eero
Publisher: European society of endocrinology
Publication year: 2021
Journal: European Journal of Endocrinology
Journal name in source: European journal of endocrinology
Journal acronym: Eur J Endocrinol
Volume number: 185
Issue number: 2
Start page: 279
End page: 288
ISSN: 0804-4643
eISSN: 1479-683X
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/EJE-20-1462
URL: https://eje.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eje/185/2/EJE-20-1462.xml
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66684804
Abstract
Objective
It has been suggested that adverse early life exposures increase the risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in later life. We hypothesized that women born preterm would have more biochemical and clinical signs of PCOS than women born at term.
Design
The ESTER Preterm Birth Study participants were born in Northern Finland and identified from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort and the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Altogether, 74 women born very or moderately preterm (<34 gestational weeks, VMPT), 127 born late preterm (at 34–36 weeks, LPT), and 184 born full term (≥37 weeks, controls) were included in the analysis (mean age: 23.2 years).
Methods
We measured serum total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and calculated the free androgen index (FAI). PCOS according to the clinical and biochemical signs was defined either as hirsutism and oligoamenorrhea (via questionnaire) or as oligoamenorrhea and elevated testosterone levels (>2.4 nmol/L).
Results
Women born VMPT/LPT exhibited 33.0% (8.7, 62.8)/16.4% (−2.0, 38.1) higher testosterone, 28.5% (5.3, 45.9)/24.1% (5.6, 38.9) lower SHBG levels, and 64.6% (19.4, 127.1)/42.5% (11.1, 82.9) higher FAI than controls after adjusting for age and recruitment cohort, maternal BMI, smoking, and pregnancy disorders, parental education, history of hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction or stroke, and subject’s birth weight s.d. Odds ratios for having PCOS were 1.67 (0.44, 6.23)/3.11 (1.26, 7.70).
Conclusions
Women born preterm have a more hyperandrogenic hormonal profile, and those born LPT are approximately three times more likely at risk to have PCOS compared to women born at term.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |