The inflammatory markers in polycystic ovary syndrome: association with obesity and IVF outcomes.

Abstract

To investigate the inflammatory markers in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associations of these markers with obesity and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A total of 292 women underwent IVF procedure either with PCOS (n=146) or without PCOS (n=146, age, and body mass index (BMI) matched controls) were included in the study. All patients were classified according to BMI levels (normal weight: NW, BMI <25kg/m(2) and obese: OB, BMI≥25kg/m(2)). The inflammatory markers were leukocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV). BMI of PCOS was positively correlated with leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and MPV (p<0.05), but negatively correlated with NLR and PLR (p<0.05). Both NLR and PLR increased significantly in PCOS (p<0.001). PLR increased significantly in NW-PCOS compared the NW-controls and OB-PCOS. MPV values increased only in OB-PCOS subjects. The logistic regression analyzes showed that MPV was the independent variable in PCOS to effect CPR (p=0.000; OR 0.1; CI 0.06-0.2). NLR and PLR were significantly increased in all PCOS subjects compared to the BMI-matched controls. Despite PLR being decreased by adiposity, PLR increased in NW-PCOS. These results are supporting the hypothesis that PCOS is a chronic inflammatory process independent of obesity. MPV levels were independently associated with CPR in PCOS. Further prospective studies concerning inflammation and IVF outcomes of PCOS are needed.