Abdominal obesity is associated with a lower ankle-brachial index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was linked to increased lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. A low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. The ABI value and the associated conditions in women with PCOS were searched in the present study. The ABI was measured using a handheld Doppler device and calculated using both standard and modified definitions. Women with PCOS (n = 103, mean age = 24.9 ± 5.9 years) had a mean ABI of 1.10 ± 0.10. A low ABI (≤0.9) was 2.9% and 14.6% using the standard and modified definitions, respectively. Mean ABI correlated negatively to body weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and hematocrit. Logistic regression analysis revealed higher waist-to-hip ratio as independently associated with a lower ABI. Frequency of ABI ≤0.9 in PCOS was lower than the general population. However, increased waist-to-hip ratio was a predictor of a lower ABI value.