Association between obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and adverse obstetric outcomes.

RESEARCH QUESTION: How does the presence of obesity modify the risks for adverse obstetric outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based cohort study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2004-2014. A total of 14,855 women with PCOS were identified (study group: obese women with PCOS [BMI ≥30 kg/m2] [n = 3286]; reference group: remaining women with PCOS [n =11 569]). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between obesity, pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of chronic hypertension (P < 0.001), pregestational diabetes (P < 0.001) and a previous caesarean delivery (P < 0.001). Obesity increased the risk of gestational diabetes (adjusted [a]OR 1.745; 95% CI 1.473 to 2.067), pregnancy-induced hypertension (aOR1.889; 95% CI 1.589 to 2.246), gestational hypertension (aOR 1.555; 95% CI 1.219 to 1.983) and preeclampsia (aOR 2.170; 95% CI 1.683 to 2.798). Maternal obesity in PCOS increased the risk of chorioamnionitis (aOR 1.548; 95% CI 1.072 to 2.235) and caesarean delivery (aOR 1.414; 95% CI 1.210 to 1.653) and decreased the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR 0.751; 95% CI 0.644 to 0.876). Infants born to obese mothers with PCOS were not more likely to be SGA (aOR 0.775; 95% CI 0.511 to 1.175) or to have congenital anomalies (aOR 0.849; 95% CI 0.483 to 1.490).

CONCLUSION

In women with PCOS, obesity increases the risk of specific pregnancy and delivery complications.