Related Experiment Video For NAFLD
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with NASH severity and advanced fibrosis
Monika Sarkar1, Norah Terrault2, Wesley Chan1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of reproductive-aged women, and is marked by irregular menses and high androgens. PCOS is a known risk factor for imaging-confirmed steatosis, and we now aim to evaluate whether PCOS influences histologic severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Methods:
Retrospective study of women ages 18-45 years with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD between 2008 and 2019. Metabolic comorbidities were captured within 6 months of biopsy. Histologic features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were independently evaluated by two pathologists blinded to PCOS status.
Results:
Among 102 women meeting study criteria, 36% (n = 37) had PCOS; median age was 35 years; 27% were white, 6% black, 19% Asian and 47% reported Hispanic ethnicity. Women with PCOS had higher LDL (122 vs 102 mg/dL, P = .05) and body mass index(BMI) (38 vs 33 kg/cm2 , P < .01). NASH was present in 76% of women with PCOS vs 66% without PCOS (P = .3), and a higher proportion with PCOS had severe ballooning (32% vs 13%, P = .02), presence of any fibrosis (84% vs 66%, P = .06) and advanced fibrosis (16% vs 6%, P = .10). Adjusted for age and BMI, PCOS remained associated with severe hepatocyte ballooning (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.6, P = .03) and advanced fibrosis (OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.3-39, P = .02). Among women with advanced fibrosis, median age was 5 years younger in those with as compared to those without PCOS (40 vs 45 years, P = .02).
Conclusion:
Polycystic ovary syndrome is independently associated with more severe NASH, including advanced fibrosis. Hepatologists should routinely inquire about PCOS in reproductive-aged women with NAFLD, and evaluate for more severe liver disease in this population.
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