Evaluation of Thrombophilic Factors in Women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin-induced elevations of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), the most potent inhibitor of fibrinolysis. Hypofibrinolysis due to increased PAI-1 levels in PCOS patients bears a high risk for miscarriage and some other pregnancy complications which are probably due to increased thrombophilic states. In this study we compared thrombophilic factors in women with PCOS with those of healthy women. This analytical study was performed on 123 infertile women with PCOS as the case group, and 73 women non-PCOS women with male factor infertility as the control group. All the individuals attended Rouin Tan Arsh Hospital for receiving fertility treatment in Tehran, Iran during 2008. Blood samples were taken from both groups on the third day of menstrual cycle for the evaluation of protein S, activated protein C resistance (APC-R), hemocysteine, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, FBS and 2-hr GTT. The mean protein S and APC-R values were lower in the case group compared to the controls, but the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.752 and p = 0.603, respectively). The mean hemocysteine value was higher in the control than the case groups (13.25 mmol/l vs. 12.49 mmol/l, respectively) but this difference was not significant either (p = 0.157). PCOS and older age tended to elevate hemocysteine (p < 0.05). Comparison of thrombophilic factors in women with PCOS and women without the disease showed no significant statistical differences. PCOS and older age seemed to raise the risk for abnormal changes in hemocysteine levels.