Are there differences in basal thrombophilias and C-reactive protein between women with or without PCOS?

Abstract Research question Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women have increased cardiovascular risks, although it is unclear whether the haemostatic system and coagulation contribute to that increased risk. Design Women attending the Gynecology Unit of the ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Hospital (Murcia, Spain) for routine gynaecological examinations between September 2014 and May 2016 were assessed for PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria (hyperandrogenism [H], oligo/amenorrhoea [O] and polycystic ovarian morphology [POM]) and were classified into four phenotypic. In total, 126 cases were identified and 159 control women were selected. All women underwent physical and gynaecological examinations, and blood tests between the second and fifth day of the menstrual cycle. Differences in hormonal, basal thrombophilia and metabolic parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP) between PCOS and controls were analysed. Results After adjusting by BMI and age, PCOS women had higher LH ( P P P  = 0.01) and anti-Mullerian hormone ( P P  = 0.03) compared with controls, whereas sex hormone-binding globulin was no different. Cases showed significantly higher protein S, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared with controls ( P P  = 0.04 and 0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that there are no differences in the basal thrombophilias between women with and without PCOS. However, PCOS with H+O shows the poorest metabolic profile.