Cardiometabolic Complications in Women with PCOS: Role of Androgens, Race/Ethnicity, and the Renin-Angiotensin System

Licy Yanes Cardozo, M.D.

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Cardiovascular is the leading cause of mortality in women. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease that affects reproductive-aged women. PCOS is characterized by elevated levels of male hormones and irregular menses. We do not know what causes this disease, but what we know is that women affected by PCOS present with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, Black women who have the diagnosis of PCOS present even with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. We do not know the reason behind that racial disparity, but Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) such as education, employment, income, and food insecurity among others may play a major role.

In this proposal, we will study the impact of SDoH on cardiovascular risk factors in Black women with PCOS compared with White women with PCOS and how this can be associated with a high level of male hormones and dysregulation of factors that regulate blood pressure and metabolism in these women.

As a physician-scientist, I want to investigate whether SDoH are the culprit why Black women with PCOS present a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. To achieve our aims, SDoH will be assessed using questionnaires, molecules related to cardiovascular disease will be quantified in blood samples, and obesity will be analyzed. This study will help us to understand in more detail how we can effectively treat cardiovascular diseases in Black women with PCOS. I anticipate that this study will enable improved treatments to manage cardiovascular diseases in women, especially those who suffer the most from cardiovascular diseases such as Black women with PCOS.