Another Etiological Factor of Meibomian Gland Loss in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Inflammation

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the tear film pattern, meibomian gland (MG) losses in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy individuals in the control group, and to examine the correlation between peripheral blood values and findings in patients with PCOS. Eighty-one eyes of 81 patients with PCOS and 78 eyes of 78 healthy individuals were included in this study. Mean noninvasive first tear film break-up time (NIF-BUT) values and the mean noninvasive average tear film break-up time (NIAvg-BUT) values of all breaking-up occurring in the test were compared. MG losses were compared between the groups. In the second step of this study, we examined the correlation between NIF-BUT and NIAvg-BUT values and MG losses with inflammatory parameters. NIF-BUT values were 7.21 ± 5.75 and 10.18 ± 5.90 s, respectively, in PCOS and control groups (P = 0.001). Loss of MG in the upper eyelids (SM-SCL) of PCOS and control group was 39.81 ± 16.34 and 17.84 ± 9.48, respectively (P = 0.000). Positive correlation was detected between SM-SCL value and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; platelet/lymphocyte ratio (P/L); and systemic immune-inflammation index, the value obtained from platelet count × (neutrophil/lymphocyte). Increased tear film instability and increased MG loss rates were detected in PCOS patients. In addition, we found a positive correlation between MG losses and inflammatory indices of patients with PCOS. We think that inflammatory processes also provide an additive effect, in addition to hormonal changes on the physiopathological process on the ocular surface in patients with PCOS.