Serological markers of autoimmunity in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study

Abstract

Background. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is highly prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with GDM have considerable risk for developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of anti-GAD65 and anti-IA2 auto-antibodies in Chilean pregnant women with GDM, normal pregnancy (NP) and with PCOS (PPCOS) to establish whether in PCOS women GDM is partially induced by auto-antibodies.Methods. Women with singleton pregnancies matched by age and gestational age were included: 50 GDM, 59 NP and 50 PPCOS. During gestational weeks 22–28, a 2-h, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed, with measurement of glucose, insulin, lipids and auto-antibodies.Results. A highly prevalence of anti-GAD65 antibodies (12%) was observed in women with GDM. PPCOS and NP women showed a similar distribution of anti-GAD65 antibodies (2.0% and 1.7%, respectively). Anti-IA2 antibodies were present in 4.0% of women with GDM, in 1.7% of NP women and 2.0% PPCOS women.Conclusion. A highly prevalence of anti-GAD65 was observed in women with GDM which is in agreement with previous studies. Nevertheless, the frequency of these auto-antibodies was very low in NP and PPCOS women.