The association between dietary obesity-prevention score (DOS) and polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent obesity-related diseases in women of reproductive age. Linkage between diet and PCOS are still controversial. Dietary obesity prevention score (DOS) is one of the new indicators of diet evaluation which have been previously linked to obesity. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to investigate the relationship between DOS and PCOS. In this case-control study, 100 newly diagnosed women with PCOS and 100 age-matched women without PCOS were assayed from clinics affiliated to Kashan university of medical sciences, Kashan, Iran. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate food intakes. DOS was calculated based on previous published guideline. Anthropometric measurements were carefully measured by a trained nutritionist. A 10-houres fasting plasma blood sample was collected for all participants. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and C - reactive protein (CRP) were measured based on laboratory methods. The mean age and BMI of study participants was 23.6 year and 24.9 kg/m² respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, adherence to DOS score was inversely associated with CRP levels. People in the top tertile of DOS had lower CRP level compared to people in the bottom tertile (3.71 compared to 4.48 mg/dl) (P = 0.04). In addition, participant in the top tertile of DOS had marginally significant higher level of FBS compared to participants in the bottom tertile (92.3 vs. 88.9 mg/dl, P = 0.051). After adjustment for all confounding factors people in the highest tertile of DOS had a 46% non-significant lower odds for PCOS compared to people in the lowest tertile (95% CI: 0.23-1.25; P-trend = 0.15). In the present study, an inverse significant association was seen between adherence to DOS and inflammation. However, no significant relationship was observed between DOS and odds of having PCOS. Further longitudinal studies are suggested to investigate the association between DOS and PCOS.