ESPE Abstracts

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is believed to contribute to adverse cardiovascular effects.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential alterations in heart rate variability (HRV) pattern in adolescent patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Nineteen PCOS adolescent patients group (mean age 16.8 ± 3.2 years) and twenty one age- and body mass index-matched non-patients (mean age 16.9 ± 2.1 years), who presented to the Centre for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care of the First Department of Paediatrics, at the "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, in Athens, Greece, over a period of one year, enrolled this study after informed consent signing. HRV was assessed by mean normal-to-normal beats intervals (mNN).

Results: Significant differences in mNN (P=0.021), between patient and control groups, was calculated.

Conclusions: HRV decomposed in mNN reflects the variance in time between consecutive sinoatrial depolarizations. The observed significant increase reflects specific shifts in sympathovagal balance; the observation may be disease specific, due to the androgen increased levels.