Gynecological disorders can increase risk for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular disease

Nonmalignant gynecological diseases (NMGD) are associated with cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular disease (C/CVD), according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online in Heart.

Giorgia Elisabeth Colombo, M.B., Ch.B., from the Ospedale Regionale di Lugano in Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to examine the association between NMGD and C/CVD. A combination of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease defined the composite C/CVD outcome.

The analysis included 28 studies, with 3,271,242 participants. The researchers found that 53.3% of the studies had a serious/critical risk for bias. Overall, individuals with NMGD had a significantly elevated risk for composite C/CVD (summary relative risk [SRR], 1.28; I² = 65.3%), ischemic heart disease (SRR, 1.41; I² = 73.7%), and cerebrovascular disease (SRR, 1.33; I² = 91.5%). Those with a history of endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome had a greater risk for C/CVD and its components in NMGD-specific analyses.

“Physicians should be aware of the potential association between NMGD and C/CVD and use this to inform clinical practice in order to mitigate the risk of C/CVD,” the authors write. “Our findings reinforce the need for prospective longitudinal life course research evaluating risk of C/CVD outcomes in NMGD overall and in subgroup populations, which may catalyze primary prevention strategies.”

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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