CVD events are 340% more likely in women aged 18-50 if they have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, with only a third of the increased risk explained by factors such as obesity or diabetes, research suggests.

The study in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health is the largest to look at polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly called PCOS — and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events.

It used US insurance data from 2000 to 2022 to track 413,000 women with PMOS, matched to controls without PMOS who had an annual physical or gynaecological examination within one month of the PMOS diagnosis date, until an ASCVD event, dis-enrolment or the study’s end.

PMOS was identified through its specific ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, or by ICD-9 and ICD-10 for both irregular menses and hirsutism. Average follow-up was more than 3.5 years.