| dc.description.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…) | en_US |
