Menstrual cycle alterations during adolescence: early expression of metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the importance of the menstrual pattern as a marker for clinical and laboratory alterations related to metabolic syndrome (MS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among Brazilian adolescents.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Endocrine Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Adolescent Health Studies Center (NESA) at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

59 girls (12-19 years old) were classified by their menstrual cycles as regular (n = 23) and irregular (n = 36).

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Biochemical collections were made of peripheral blood after fasting for 12 hours, and the oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of anhydrous glucose.

RESULTS

PCOS, MS, and the criteria for MS were significantly more frequent (P < .05) in the subgroup with irregular menstruation. Adolescents with irregular cycles presented a significant increase in waist circumference, glycemia 2 hours after oral glucose overload (2 h), fasting and 2-h insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides. In contrast, the glucose/insulin ratio, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, and HDL serum levels were significantly lower among patients with irregular menstruation, compared to those with regular cycles. In the logistic regression, we noted that insulin 2 h ≥ 75 μIU/mL (r = 1.90; P = .018), waist circumference > 95 cm (r = 2.21; P = .006) and diagnosis of PCOS (r = 1.93; P = .023) were significantly correlated to irregular cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that close observation of menstrual cycle patterns is an important tool for identifying adolescents at higher risk of developing PCOS and MS.