Thyroid hormonal changes among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in Baghdad – a case-control study

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a syndrome of ovarian dysfunction along with the cardinal features of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology. The prevalence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound is around quarter of all women but is not associated with the full syndrome. The study aimed to assess the status of thyroid disorders in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This prospective hospital-based case-control study involved most outpatients aged 13–45 years who visited the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital with complaints of hirsutism and/or oligomenorrhea or infertility. This study included 70 patients, including 50 with PCOS (PCOS group) and 20 without (control group). Results: The PCOS group exhibited significantly higher mean thyroid stimulating hormone level (3.9 vs. 3.1 µIU/L), luteinizing hormone level (15.2 vs. 4.7 mIU/mL), and body mass index (28.6 vs. 24.9 kg/m2; all, p<0.001) and a non-significantly higher follicle-stimulating hormone level (9.2 vs. 5.2 mIU/L) than the control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a higher prevalence of thyroid disorder among women with PCOS.