Impact of comorbid polycystic ovary syndrome on clinical and laboratory parameters in female adolescents with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) share several pathophysiological mechanisms. While the prevalence of MASLD has been extensively studied in PCOS populations, the occurrence of PCOS among female adolescents with transient elastography (TE)-confirmed MASLD in pediatric hepatology settings remains poorly characterized. This cross-sectional study aims to address this knowledge gap and elucidate potential clinical and biochemical differences between female adolescents with MASLD and comorbid PCOS compared to those without PCOS. Methods: The study cohort included 45 female adolescents with TE-diagnosed MASLD. Comparative analyses of clinical and laboratory parameters were performed between those with (n = 19) and those without (n = 26) comorbid PCOS, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. Results: Adolescents with MASLD and comorbid PCOS exhibited significantly higher weight, lower height, and increased waist circumference compared to those without PCOS. Additionally, the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans was significantly higher in the PCOS group (68.4% versus 34.6%, p = 0.025). Regarding laboratory parameters, serum phosphorus levels and liver enzymes-including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase-were significantly lower in adolescents with comorbid PCOS. However, no significant differences were observed in lipid profiles, glucose metabolism, or novel non-invasive biomarkers of MASLD. Conclusions: This study reveals distinct clinical and biochemical profiles in female adolescents with MASLD and comorbid PCOS compared to those without PCOS. These findings have the potential to inform and refine future screening protocols and diagnostic algorithms for these interrelated conditions, specifically tailored to pediatric hepatology settings.