Androgens and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Young Women - Ancillary to CARDIA

February 8, 2016 updated by: University of Washington
To examine whether serum androgens, measured earlier in life, and variation in genes related to androgen synthesis, metabolism, and signaling are associated with early-onset subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in young adult women from the community.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is denoted by hyperandrogenism and symptoms of ovulation dysfunction (e.g., infertility, oligomenorrhea). Women who are diagnosed with PCOS represent the more extreme end of abnormal ovarian function. While PCOS is rare, approximately 20 percent of women are expected to have subclinical polycystic ovaries, identified by sonogram. Factors that are associated with PCOS, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, are also risk factors for coronary artery disease and there is evidence to suggest that women with PCOS are more likely to experience coronary artery disease. This raises the question: are subclinical cases of polycystic ovaries at increased risk of coronary artery disease?

The study is ancillary to the the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, a large cohort study supported by the NHLBI. The CARDIA population provides a unique opportunity to explore these associations because there is a 15-year period of risk factor ascertainment in this population including stored blood + DNA specimens from which serum androgens and relevant genetic markers can be ascertained. In addition, all participants will have coronary artery calcium (CAC) determinations at the year 15 exam. In the ancillary study an additional year 16 visit will occur for the purpose of obtaining a trans vaginal ultrasound determination (TVUS) so as to obtain clinical evidence of hyperandrogenism and look at the joint effects of the clinical evidence and serum markers as predictors of CAC. The study is in response to an initiative on Ancillary Studies in Heart, Lung, and Blood Disease Trials released in June, 2000.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

The ancillary study in year 16 of CARDIA will recall 1,200 women who received a coronary artery calcification (CAC) determination in year 15. These women will have an additional blood draw three to 10 days after their last menstrual period, will have a questionnaire administered to them regarding clinical symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and other aspects of hyperandrogenism. Two principal analyses will be performed. The first is a longitudinal analysis using year 2 and year 10 data to use serum markers of hyperandrogenism and genetic markers from DNA samples as predictors of CAC which is defined as present (absent) and is determined at the year 15 examination. The principal method of analysis will be logistic regression. An additional analysis will relate androgen levels at year 2 to lipid levels and other coronary risk factors ascertained at year 2, 7, 10 and 15.

Study Type

Observational

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 100 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

No eligibility criteria

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • David Siscovick, University of Washington

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2001

Study Completion

July 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 16, 2002

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 16, 2002

First Posted (Estimate)

May 17, 2002

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 10, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 8, 2016

Last Verified

December 1, 2005

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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