Long-term consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome: Results of a 31 year follow-up study

Abstract

A cohort of 786 women who received a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the United Kingdom before 1979 was traced to investigate the long-term consequences of the syndrome. Data were obtained from death certificates for 70 women. Morbidity data were collected from general practice records and questionnaires for 319 women diagnosed with PCOS an average of 31 years previously and for 1060 age-matched control women. The proportion of women with involuntary infertility was 17.5% in the PCOS group compared with 1.3% in the control group. All-cause mortality in the cohort did not differ from that of the general population of women. Women with PCOS were not at significantly increased risk of mortality or morbidity from breast cancer but were at increased risk of endometrial cancer. Women with a history of PCOS had higher levels of several cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, raised plasma cholesterol and body mass index > 30 kg m^-2. Mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease did not differ significantly between the women with PCOS and comparison groups. Control of obesity is likely to be particularly important for women with a history of PCOS.