A Cross Sectional Study of Heart Rate Variability and Androgen parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive system abnormalities. The diagnostic criteria include chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. The autonomic nervous system plays a role in pathogenesis. Women with PCOS often experience conditions like oscillatory sleep apnea, hypertension, depression, obesity, and type 2 diabetes linked to an autonomic nervous system imbalance. Objectives: The aim and objective of this study to compare the heart rate variability (HRV) and estimated androgen levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in healthy controls. Material and Methods: Thirty newly diagnosed PCOS cases and thirty controls with similar anthropometric measurements had their HRV assessed. DHEAS and serum testosterone levels were also assessed. The mean outcomes were the values of HRV in the time [standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), the square root of the sum of the squares of the differences between the adjacent normal R-R intervals (rMSSD), and total power (TP), very-low-frequency power (VLF), low-frequency power (LF), normalized low-frequency power (LF norm), high-frequency power (HF), normalized high-frequency power (HF norm), and LF/HF ratio] domains. Differences between the 2 groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test, using SPSS for Windows (version 22.0). Results: HRV frequency domain parameters, including LF (p = 0.00*), HF (p = 0.00*), and LF/HF ratio (p = 0.00*), as well as time domain parameters, including RMSSD (p = 0.00*), SDNN (p<0.03*), NN50 (p = 0.00*), and total power (p = 0.00*), were significantly reduced in PCOS patients. Serum testosterone (p<0.000*) and DHEA-S (p<0.03*) were two androgen parameters that were significantly higher in PCOS cases than in healthy controls. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that PCOS is related to increased sympathetic over activity, Impaired HRV and increased androgen levels. Therapeutic modalities may adversely affect the cardiovascular system, highlighting the need for ways to reduce these risks. We therefore suggest that HRV is an accurate and sensitive marker to detect early signs of cardiovascular impairment and enables timely measures to avoid further morbidity.