The relationship of serum androgens and ovulatory status to blood pressurein reproductive-age women

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationsh ip between hyperandrogenemia and blood pressure in women with menstrual irr egularities seen at an endocrinology clinic. Women with serum testosterone levels (T) greater than or equal to 30 ng/dL were more likely to have gener al obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 6.8, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.2-27.2 ) and central obesity (OR = 14.5, 95% CI = 6.1-38.7) than euandrogenemic wo men. Hyperandrogenemic women (HA) had an OR of 2.4 (95% CI = 1.0-6.2) for e levated SEP and an OR of 2.7 (95% CI = 0.8-8.8) for elevated DBP, independe nt of age and ovulatory status. Obese HA had an OR of 4.7 (95% CI = 2.3-10. 4) for elevated SBP and an OR of 2.9 (95% CI = 1.9-9.9) for elevated DBP. h i conclusion, T is associated with an increased risk for obesity and centra l adiposity. T predicts BP elevation independent of age and ovulatory statu s. There was a synergistic relationship between obesity and androgens in th eir affect on BP. (C) 1999 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.