Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a one of the most common endocrine disorders, with a prevalence rate of 5–10% in reproductive aged women. It’s characterized by (1) chronic anovulation, (2) biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism, and (3) polycystic ovarian morphology. PCOS has significant clinical implications and can lead to health problems related to the accumulation of adipose tissue, such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. There is also evidence that PCOS patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure. Several studies have reported the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and low-grade chronic inflammation. According to known data, inflammatory markers or their gene markers are higher in PCOS patients. Correlations have been found between increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), white blood cell count (WBC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) in the PCOS women compared with age- and BMI-matched controls. Women with PCOS present also elevated levels of AGEs and increased RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) expression. This chronic inflammatory state is aggravating by obesity and hyperinsulinemia. There are studies describing mutual impact of hyperinsulinemia and obesity, hyperandrogenism, and inflammatory state. Endothelial cell dysfunction may be also triggered by inflammatory cytokines. Many factors involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and thrombosis were proposed as cardiovascular risk markers showing the endothelial cell damage in PCOS. Those markers include asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-I), PAI-I activity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) etc. It was also proposed that the uterine hyperinflammatory state in polycystic ovary syndrome may be responsible for significant pregnancy complications ranging from miscarriage to placental insufficiency. In this review, we discuss the most importance evidence concerning the role of the process of chronic inflammation in pathogenesis of PCOS.

Several studies have reported the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and low-grade chronic inflammation to be of uncertain cause: obesity, insulin resistance, or PCOS itself. The aim of the study was to investigate the WBC (white blood cell) count and CRP (C-reactive protein) concentration in women with PCOS and to determine the factors that affect their concentration. The study included 200 women aged 18-40 with PCOS and 105 healthy women as the control group, recruited in the Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology of Medical University in Warsaw from 2016 to 2018. Each patient underwent clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic assessments. WBC and CRP were significantly higher in the PCOS group (Z=−2,353, p=0,019 and Z=−2,453, p=0,014). WBC positively correlated with serum insulin at 0, 60, and 120 min during the oral glucose tolerance test (INS0: r=0,221, p=0,001; INS1: r=0,194, p=0,003; INS2: r=0,022, p=0,001), testosterone (r=0,130, p=0,046), androstenedione (r=0,212, p=0,001), and DHEAS (r=0,178, p=0,006) and negatively correlated with progesterone (r=−0,204, p=0,002), estradiol (r=−0,140, p=0,032), and SHBG (r=−0,308, p<0,001). CRP positively correlated with insulin concentration in 0, 60, and 120 min during the oral glucose tolerance test (INS0: r=0,343, p<0,001; INS1: r=0,276, p=0,001; INS2: r=0,320, p<001) and negatively correlated with progesterone (r=−0,194, p=0,030) and SHBG (-0,244, p=0,005). We also estimated positive correlation between BMI and serum CRP and WBC concentration. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that CRP values are positively associated with BMI (beta=0,374, p<0,001) and insulin level (INS1) (beta=0,282, p=0,004); and WBC results are negatively associated with SHGB (beta=−0,284, p<0,001) but positively associated with testosterone (beta=0,163, p=0,024) and BMI (beta=0,157, p=0,047). PCOS is associated with increased WBC and CRP concentrations. The main predicting factors of increased CRP are BMI and insulin resistance, but there is also a relationship between WBC count in PCOS and androgen concentration itself so that inflammation may be mediated not only through adiposity but also through increased androgen concentration.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and the presence of polycystic ovary in ultrasound examination. PCOS is specified by an increased number of follicles at all growing stages, mainly seen in the preantral and small antral follicles and an increased serum level of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH). Because of the strong correlation between circulating AMH levels and antral follicle count on ultrasound, Anti-Müllerian Hormone has been proposed as an alternative marker of ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS. However, the results from the current literature are not homogeneous, and the specific threshold of AMH in PCOS and PCOM is, therefore, very challenging. This review aims to update the current knowledge about AMH, the pathophysiology of AMH in the pathogenesis of PCOS, and the role of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in the treatment of this syndrome.

Introduction. Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare and potentially life-threatening granulomatous large-vessel vasculitis that involves mostly in the aorta and its proximal branches, and occurs most commonly in young females. This study measures the incidence and prevalence of TA, and assesses the gender distribution and territorial differences in the occurrences of this disease in Poland over a five-year period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of this rare disease in Poland based on a hospital morbidity database. Materials and method. Analyses were performed with population-based administrative data obtained from a national hospital morbidity study carried out between January 2011-December 2015 by the Polish National Institute of Public Health. Yearly incidence rates and prevalence of TA were calculated using the number of TA patients and corresponding census data for the overall Polish population. Results. Data included 660 hospitalization records. The final study sample comprised 177 patients: 154 female (87%) and 23 male (13%) with first-time hospitalization for TA. The mean age was 45.4years (95% CI: 42.9-47.8; SD 16.8; range 4-81 years), median 47. The incidence rate of TA was estimated at 0.92 per million per year (95% CI: 0.68-1.16). Five-year TA prevalence was estimated to be 4,6 per million. Incidence rates of TA did not vary significantly between more urban and more rural regions. Conclusions. The incidence of TA in Poland was similar or lower to data reported by other European countries. The study provides epidemiological data on TA in Poland that may be useful while comparing it with other geographical regions.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders which is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysregulation. The elevated prevalence of obesity has been observed in women with PCOS. Since obesity is commonly associated with eating disturbances, including the binge eating disorder (BED), and since the hormonal changes in PCOS patients could influence the food intake model, we decided to estimate the prevalence of BED in PCOS patients and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Questionnaire for Binge Eating Screening (QBES) in PCOS patients. Methods: A total of 122 hospitalized women with PCOS aged 16–45 (M = 26; SD = 5.22) took part in the study. Binge eating disorder (BED) was diagnosed according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. QBES was used as a screening tool for BED. Results: The point prevalence of BED in PCOS women according to DMS-5 criteria was 51 (42%). At least two positive answers to four QBES items had 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity. Positive answers to even only the first two questions from QBES had 98% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Conclusions: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at a very high risk of binge eating behaviors. Screening for eating disorders should be a routine procedure in women with PCOS. The first two questions from QBES are a brief and relatively reliable screening tool that may be used in everyday practice with POSC patients.