Research Study: PCOS, Sleep Apnea, and Metabolic Risk in Women

Study Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder. Most often, symptoms first appear in adolescence, around the start of menstruation. However, some women do not develop symptoms until their early to mid-20s. PCOS is estimated to affect between 5 and 10 percent of women of reproductive age. Symptoms include some or all of the following: irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth on the face, chest, or abdomen, hair loss (in a classic "male baldness" pattern), acne, polycystic ovaries, obesity, infertility or reduced fertility. Studies conducted at the University of Chicago have confirmed an exceptionally high risk of obstructive sleep apnea among women with PCOS. PCOS women with obstructive sleep apnea may be at much higher risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease than PCOS women without obstructive sleep apnea. This study is being conducted to examine the metabolic and hormonal features of PCOS in women with and without PCOS.

This study of PCOS and obstructive sleep apnea will be performed at no charge. It requires hospitalization one to three times (five days each) in the University of Chicago Medical Center General Clinical Research Center and Sleep Research Laboratory

Participation Details

To be considered for the study, subjects must:

• Be a woman diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome
• Be between the ages of 18 and 40
• Not using birth control pills, patches or injections

Subjects enrolled in this study will be participants for approximately two to three months. Although participation in this research study may not have any direct medical benefit to you, the information learned from this study will benefit other individuals with PCOS and/or obstructive sleep apnea in the future.

Study Leader: David A. Ehrmann, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

For more information, or to determine if you are eligible for this study, please contact us at (773) 702-4295.

IRB: #15872B