Abstract
The association between the environmental endocrine disruptor bisphenol a and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review of epidemiological studies
Skarlet Velasquez, MPH, Mechelle Claridy, MPH, Mehar Anand, Rushan Momin and Nichelle Jasper, DVM
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age and increases the risk of serious chronic conditions. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a type of endocrine disruptor that may interfere with normal biological endocrine function. The effects of BPA on the reproductive system have been proposed, but evidence of the effects of BPA on PCOS are few and inconclusive. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify epidemiological studies that assess the effect of BPA on PCOS and to discuss the components and results of these studies. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted. Eligible studies were: (1) any type of epidemiological study (2) focused on the specific relationship of BPA and its effect on PCOS and (3) published in a peer-reviewed journal between 2010-2020. Results: Nine studies met the eligibility criteria. There were mixed results among these studies. Most studies found that higher BPA levels were associated with a PCOS diagnosis, however, some found no difference among study groups. One consistent finding among the studies was the urgent need for more longitudinal epidemiological studies examining this association and the need to standardize the measurement of BPA to better understand this relationship. Conclusion: Epidemiological studies mostly suggest that women with PCOS had higher levels of BPA. Due to the well-established harmful effects of BPA on reproductive health, more high quality, longitudinal studies with standardized measurements of BPA are needed to confirm the exact pathogenesis of this substance on PCOS.
Chronic disease management and prevention Clinical medicine applied in public health Epidemiology Provision of health care to the public Public health or related research