Differences in dyslipidemia between American and Italian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic complication in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist in dyslipidemia in women with PCOS from different ethnic and geographical backgrounds.

This retrospective study evaluated the serum fasting lipid profiles of 106 women with PCOS from the United States and 108 women with PCOS from Italy evaluated at endocrinology clinics.

American women had higher mean body mass index than Italian women (36.1+/-8.6 vs 28.1+/-5.8 kg/m2, p<0.01). Low HDL-cholesterol was the most prevalent lipid abnormality in both populations. U.S. women had higher mean levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, and lower mean serum HDL-cholesterol. Most of these differences were due to differences in weight. After controlling for differences in weight and age, fasting serum triglycerides remained higher in U.S. women compared with Italian women [131.1 mg/dl, SE=7.8, 95% confidence interval =(115.7, 146.5) vs 99.3, SE=8.4, 95% confidence interval =(82.9, 115.8)].

Variations in body weight alone do not fully explain differences in dyslipidemia in women of diverse ethnic and geographical backgrounds. Genetic and environmental factors, such as diet and activity level, likely contribute to these differences.