Association between polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of subclinical vascular disease in normal‑weight women with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION    The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is higher than in the general population. Both diseases are associated with higher risk of premature atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVES    The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the cardiovascular risks conferred by T1DM and PCOS are additive.
PATIENTS AND METHODS   The study group included 78 women divided into 4 groups: 19 women with PCOS and T1DM (T1DM+PCOS), 16 women with T1DM only (T1DM/no‑PCOS), 27 women with PCOS only(PCOS), and 16 healthy women (control group). We evaluated the serum concentrations of cardiovascular disease biomarkers: soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM‑1) and soluble endothelial‑leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (sE‑selectin). We also assessed brachial artery flow‑mediated dilation (FMD) and estimated the intima–media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT) by ultrasonography.
RESULTS    The serum concentrations of sICAM‑1and sE‑selectin were higher in the T1DM+PCOS group compared with women with PCOS only (P = 0.041 and P = 0.002, respectively) and were comparable to those in the T1DM/no‑PCOS group. FMD and CIMT did not differ between the groups. In women with T1DM, sICAM‑1 positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.34, P = 0.047), CIMT with daily insulin dose (r = 0.37, P = 0.039), and FMD negatively correlated with diabetes duration (r = –0.42, P = 0.02). In a multivariable logistic regression model, the presence of T1DM, with adjustment for sICAM‑1, was the only predictor of sE‑selectin concentrations in the whole study group (odds ratio, 8.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.56–13.49; P = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS    The presence of PCOS does not increase the risk of subclinical vascular disease in young lean women with T1DM.