OBJECTIVE:We evaluated levels of procalcitonin and proinflammatory markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and compared them with controls in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
STUDY DESIGN:This prospective controlled study involved patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (n=59) and healthy age-matched controls (n=26; total, n=85). Serum procalcitonin, white blood cells , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine levels, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles were compared between the polycystic ovary syndrome and control groups. The same parameters were also compared between overweight and normal-weight polycystic ovary syndrome patients.
RESULTS:Serum procalcitonin, homocysteine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and white blood cell levels were similar in the polycystic ovary syndrome and control groups. High-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the polycystic ovary syndrome group than in the control group (p <0.05). In a subgroup analysis of the polycystic ovary syndrome group, there were no significant differences between overweight and normal-weight polycystic ovary syndrome patients with regard to proinflammatory markers (serum white blood cell, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, procalcitonin levels). However, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in overweight polycystic ovary syndrome patients (p<0.005). Serum high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower in the overweight polycystic ovary syndrome group than in the normal-weight group (p <0.005). Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher in overweight polycystic ovary syndrome than normal-weight polycystic ovary syndrome patients (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:Serum procalcitonin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, white blood cell, and homocysteine levels were within normal ranges in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. These results may be related to the relatively young age and regional differences in the study group.