No increase in CKD risk among women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) does not differ between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the general female population, a study has found.

This study included 1,460 reproductive‐age women, among whom 156 had PCOS. Compared with healthy controls, PCOS patients were younger (mean, 26.4 vs 28.7 years; p=0.002) but had similar body mass index (mean, 26 vs 25.3 kg/m²; p=0.085) and waist circumference (mean, 82.7 vs 81.3 cm; p=0.172).

Over a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 330 incident CKD cases were recorded, including 25 in the PCOS group (incidence rate, 14.8 per 1,000 person‐years) and 305 in the control group (incidence rate, 21.5 per 1,000 person‐years).

Cox analysis revealed no significant difference in the risk of CKD in the PCOS control groups, with patients not having a higher risk of experiencing a loss of kidney function relative to healthy women (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.883, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.587–1.328; p=0.551).

The risk estimate remained unchanged despite controlling for potential confounders such as smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes at baseline and follow‐up (adjusted HR, 0.911, 95 percent CI, 0.600–1.383; p=0.661).

The similar risk of CKD in PCOS patients and controls may be explained by a potentially modified lifestyle among the former through various interventions, including diet, exercise, or medication. More studies are needed to confirm the present data.