Metabolic and Cardiovascular Comorbidities Among Women with Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome in Zawia, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age and is increasingly recognized as a condition associated with significant metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Although the reproductive manifestations of PCOS are well documented, its metabolic burden remains underexplored in Libya. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities among women with PCOS in Zawia, Libya, and to assess their association with body mass index (BMI). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Zawia Medical Center between March and July 2023. A total of 344 Libyan women aged 18–45 years who were newly diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria were included. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The mean age of participants was 23 ± 7.3 years, with the majority (74.4%) aged between 18 and 29 years. Most participants were classified as obese (75.2%), followed by overweight (21.8%), while only 2.9% had a normal BMI. The most reported metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities were hypercholesterolemia (15.2%), diabetes mellitus (14.6%), hypertension (12.4%), and cardiovascular disease (4.2%). Obesity showed a significant association with the presence of metabolic comorbidities (p ≤ 0.05). The findings highlight the substantial metabolic burden among women with PCOS in this population and emphasize the importance of early screening, lifestyle modification, and integrated management strategies to reduce long-term health risks.