Clin Exp Pediatr. 2023 Jun 14. doi: 10.3345/cep.2023.00353. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fatty liver is a common condition in adults with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and many studies have been conducted in adults investigating the influencing factors. However, factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in PCOS are still under investigation.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to investigate the presence of NAFLD through non-invasive methods, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and ultrasonography (USG), and NAFLD-related metabolic and hormonal risk factors in adolescents with PCOS.

METHODS: The patient group of the study consisted of those aged 12-18 years were diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria. The control group consisted of those who had regular menstruation for more than two years, had similar age and BMI z scores. Also patients with PCOS were divided into two groups according to serum androgen level hyperandrogenemic and non-hyperandrogenemic. Ultrasonography was performed for all patients to evaluate the presence of hepatic steatosis. Liver stiffness measure (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurements were made with VCTE (Fibroscan짰). Both groups were compared with regard to clinical, laboratory and radiological data.

RESULTS: We included 124 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years in the study. (61 PCOS, 63 control). BMI z scores of both groups were similar. The waist circumference, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were found to be higher in the PCOS groups compared to the controls. The presence of hepatic steatosis on USG was similar in both groups. However, the rate of hepatic steatosis on USG was found to be higher in patients with hyper-androgenic PCOS (p=0.01). LSM and CAP measurements were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION: No increase was determined in the prevalence of NAFLD in adolescents with PCOS. However, hyperandrogenemia was seen to be a risk factor for NAFLD. Adolescents with PCOS who have elevated androgen should be screened for NAFLD.

PMID:37321582 | DOI:10.3345/cep.2023.00353