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Bone formation markers decreased in women with PCOS
Women aged 30 years or younger with polycystic ovary syndrome have decreased bone formation markers, which may indicate reduced bone mass, compared with healthy women, according to study findings published in Clinical Endocrinology.
Juha S. Tapanainen, MD, PhD, professor, chair and chief physician in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, and colleagues evaluated data on 298 women with PCOS and 194 healthy controls who participated in six Nordic PCOS studies to assess biochemical markers of bone turnover and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as their associations with metabolic parameters.
BMI was higher in the PCOS group (27.1 kg/m2) than the control group (24.9 kg/m2). After adjustment for age and BMI, levels of testosterone, free androgen index and androstenedione were higher and sex hormone-binding globulin was lower in the PCOS group compared with controls. Among participants with PCOS, levels of testosterone, free androgen index and androstenedione were higher in those aged 30 years or younger than those aged 31 to 40 years. Participants with PCOS aged 41 years to menopause had lower levels of SHBG and higher free androgen index than controls of the same age.
No differences were observed for levels of cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) or 25-(OH)D between the two groups. Procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) and osteocalcin were significantly decreased in the PCOS group compared with controls after adjustments for age and BMI. More of the PCOS group was 25-(OH)D deficient compared with controls (40% vs. 29%) whereas more of the control group was 25-(OH)D insufficient (53% vs. 42%).
Positive correlations were observed between serum concentrations of PINP, osteocalcin and CTX in both groups (P < .001). Negative correlations were observed between levels of PINP, osteocalcin and CTX with age (P < .001) and BMI (P < .001) in both groups.
“These observations suggest that bone formation in these women may be decreased and result in lower bone mass in the long run, as earlier studies have suggested that [bone turnover markers] may reflect underlying changes in bone mass or bone histomorphometric parameters,” the researchers wrote. “However, the clinical relevance, as well as the correlation with bone density measurements, should be further investigated in future studies.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.