The role of variants regulating metformin transport and action in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aims: Variants in genes encoding metformin transport proteins and the ATM gene are associated with metformin response. We hypothesized that these gene variants contribute to variable metformin treatment response in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Materials & Methods: The discovery cohort (n = 38) was studied in an open-label study.

Identification of subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome using electronic health records.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder because of the variable criteria used for diagnosis. Therefore, International Classification of Diseases 9 (ICD-9) codes may not accurately capture the diagnostic criteria necessary for large scale PCOS identification. We hypothesized that use of electronic medical records text and data would more specifically capture PCOS subjects.

Simultaneous measurement of thirteen steroid hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and control women using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: The measurement of adrenal and ovarian androgens in women with PCOS has been difficult based on poor specificity and sensitivity of assays in the female range.

Methods: Women with PCOS (NIH criteria; n = 52) and control subjects with 25-35 day menstrual cycles, no evidence of hyperandrogenism and matched for BMI (n = 42) underwent morning blood sampling. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to simultaneously measure 13 steroids from a single blood sample to measure adrenal and ovarian steroids.

Cigarette smoking, nicotine levels and increased risk for metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at risk for metabolic syndrome, which may be exacerbated by smoking. We hypothesized that smoking worsens androgen levels and the metabolic profile in women with PCOS. PCOS smokers (n = 47) and non-smokers (n = 64) and control smokers (n = 30) and non-smokers (n = 28), aged 18-45 years, underwent anthropomorphic measurements, pelvic ultrasound and blood sampling.