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Evaluation of the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and intestinal inflammation as measured by fecal calprotectin levels
Bihter Senem Feyzioğlu, Zerrin AvulDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Private Erciyes Kartal Hospital, Kayseri, TurkeyINTRODUCTION: Factors such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are pivotal in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PCOS and fecal calprotectin levels—a proxy for intestinal inflammation.
METHODS: This research was carried out by including 54 women who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of our hospital. Twenty-seven of these women were diagnosed with PCOS, while 27 were healthy.
RESULTS: Median fecal calprotectin in women with PCOS was significantly higher than in controls (p=0.040). Calprotectin had 37.0% sensitivity, 96.3% specificity, and 66.7% accuracy in predicting PCOS patients with a cut-off value of ≥60 (area under ROC curve: 0.667 (95% CI: 0.520–0.813), p=0.036). Multiple logistic regression showed that free androgen index was the only parameter independently associated with PCOS presence.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Fecal calprotectin level is increased in PCOS, and therefore, it appears that intestinal inflammation is increased in our PCOS group—despite similar levels of systemic inflammation. Fecal calprotectin may be valuable in the differential diagnosis of PCOS, and therapies targeting intestinal inflammation warrant research for their possible benefits in women with PCOS.
Manuscript Language: English
