A cross sectional study on the status of inflammatory markers in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Indian population

Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease exclusively seen in women of reproductive age group. World Health Organization reports that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome approximately affects 5-10% of the reproductive female population worldwide. Women with PCOS have chronic inflammation. This in turn leads to increased incidence of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes2. Chronic inflammation in PCOS patients can be identified using serum markers such as C - reactive protein [CRP], Interleukin-6 [IL-6] and Interleukin-18 [IL-18].So the main objective of the study was to assess the status of inflammation in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and to assess the influence of drugs prescribed for PCOS on inflammation. Patients were divided into three groups as healthy volunteers, newly diagnosed PCOS patients, already on treatment patients for PCOS. High sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), IL-6 and IL-18 were assessed. There was an increase in the hs-CRP, IL-6 and IL-18 compared to healthy volunteers in both newly diagnosed and already diagnosed groups. But there was no statistical significance (hs-CRP=0.975, IL-6=0.746, IL-18 = 0.148) between them. The mean value has decreased in the already on treatment group as duration of treatment increases. There was no statistical significance between them. There was an inversely proportional relationship between the mean values of inflammatory markers and duration of treatment.