Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in PCOS women of reproductive age group.
METHODS: Study design: Observational study was done at ESIMC and PGIMSR K.K. Nagar March 2013-Feb 2014. Ninety cases of women with PCOS based on Rotterdam's criteria and an equal number of age-matched controls (women without PCOS) were included in the study. Thyroid profile, antithyroid peroxidase titre, serum progesterone, testosterone and fasting blood sugar were estimated using standardised techniques.
RESULTS: Menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea) was the most common abnormality found in patients with PCOS compared with non-PCOS (p < 0.0001). Hyperandrogenism was the second most common manifestation present in PCOS of our study group. Hirsutism was the striking hyperandrogenic feature that was present in study group. PCOS patients had higher BMI compared to controls (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was not significantly different in both the groups (p < 0.80). Anti-TPO titre was higher in PCOS patients (25.8 ± 2.9 IU/ml) compared to the controls (14.5 ± 2.3 IU/ml) (p < 0.009).
CONCLUSION: The present study shows that PCOS was associated with increased anti-TPO titres, thus emphasising the importance of screening all PCOS patients for anti-TPO along with routine thyroid profile.