Endocrine Disease as a Cause of Cardiovascular Disease: Current Perspectives

Abstract

Abstract:‎ This special issue of “Current Pharmaceutical Design” is dedicated to endocrine diseases that are ‎associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD).‎

In relation to Reproductive Endocrinology, Bosdou et al. [1] consider the association between female ‎infertility and CVD. In general, current data do not support a clear association, although common ‎pathways may lead to both entities, with a contributory role attributed to the ageing process [1]. The ‎inconsistency of evidence also extends to the association between female infertility and the prevalence ‎of CV risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension (AH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) ‎‎[1]. However, some causes of infertility, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and ‎endometriosis, may be associated with increased CV risk [1]. Whether female infertility is an indicator of ‎early CVD needs to be confirmed in well-designed, large population-based studies [1]. In this context, ‎some indices of ovarian reserve, such as the anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations, which are negatively ‎associated with subclinical atherosclerosis markers (carotid intima-media thickness) [2], may serve this ‎purpose. The association of specific infertility states (such as PCOS) with increased risk of CVD events ‎and mortality also needs to be established in future studies. Of note, a recent meta-analysis showed an ‎increased risk of nonfatal cerebrovascular disease events [relative risk (RR) 1.41, 95% confidence ‎interval (CI) 1.02-1.94], but not coronary heart disease (CHD), in patients with PCOS compared with non-‎PCOS women [3]. (Continued…)‎