Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and other morbidities. However its association with autoimmune diseases is still controversial.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of non organ-specific and antithyroid, antibodies in PCOS women compared to healthy controls.
Methods: The study included 152 women with PCOS and 76 healthy controls for the evaluation of non organ-specific autoimmunity and 64 PCOS and 68 controls for the study of organ-specific autoimmunity. All sera were tested for autoantibodies.using the ELISA method.
Results: There were no significant differences in the prevalence of ANA, SSA, SSB, anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, ANCA/MPO or ANCA/PR3 between PCOS and controls. The prevalence of ACLA IgG was higher in controls than PCOS (5.4% v.s. 0%, P=0.011). Patients had a higher prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies (18.75% v.s. 7.35%, P=0.045) and slightly but not significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (18.75% v.s. 10.29%) than controls.
Conclusion: The prevalence of non organ-specific autoantibodies in PCOS women is low and similar to controls. On the other hand, we found a slightly higher prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in PCOS women.
Keywords: autoimmune thyroid disease; autoimmunity; hyperandrogenism; polycystic ovary syndrome; systemic autoantibodies.