The Prevalence of Abnormal Liver Enzymes and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Adolescent Females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Barfield, Elaine; Liu, Ying-Hua; Kessler, Marion; Pawelczak, Melissa; David, Raphael; Shah, Bina

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2009.03.003

« Previous Next »Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Volume 22, Issue 5 , Pages 318-322, October 2009

The Prevalence of Abnormal Liver Enzymes and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Adolescent Females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Elaine Barfield, MD
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Ying-Hua Liu, MD
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Marion Kessler, MD
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Melissa Pawelczak, MD
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Raphael David, MD
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Bina Shah, MD
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Address correspondence to: Bina Shah, MD, Department of Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016

published online 06 July 2009.

Abstract

Objectives

We sought to determine the prevalence of abnormal liver enzymes suggestive of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome in obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Design

A retrospective chart review.

Participants

Patients included 39 obese (body mass index Z score≥2) adolescent females with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical and biochemical data in these patients were reviewed.

Main Outcome Measures

Aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels, lipid panel, blood pressure, body mass index, and glucose intolerance were the main outcome measures of the study.

Results

The study showed that 15.4 % (6 of 39) of patients had elevated aminotransferase levels, suggestive of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and 43.6 % (17 of 39) of patients qualified as having metabolic syndrome. Finally, 10.2 % (4 of 39) of patients were found to have both liver dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

Liver dysfunction consistent with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome are prevalent in obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, early screening and further work-up for both disease states are warranted in cases of young adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Key Words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Metabolic syndrome, Liver dysfunction