Autoimmune diseases in patients with different PCOS phenotypes

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous condition characterized by reproductive disturbances and significant metabolic and other comorbidities. Nevertheless, the interrelations between autoimmune disorders and PCOS are still not clarified. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the specter of systemic and organ-specific autoimmune disorders in a large group of PCOS patients, and to explore the possible interrelations between different PCOS phenotypes and the susceptibility to autoimmune disturbances.

A total of 1,249 women with PCOS (18-44 years) were investigated retrospectively. The presence of autoimmune thyroiditis and other concomitant autoimmune diseases was recorded. The associations between autoimmune disorders, PCOS phenotypes, hyperandrogenism and obesity were explored.

The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in PCOS women was 20.3% similar to other European countries. Subclinical or overt hypothyroidism was observed in 13.45% of patients, while hyperthyroidism developed in 1%. The prevalence of AIT was not related to the PCOS phenotype, but it was increased in obese PCOS patients (23.6% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.045). A total of 29 of all PCOS women (2.3%) suffered from concomitant non-thyroid autoimmune disorders (NTAID). The most common NTAID in the PCOS cohort were psoriasis [6/1,249 (0.48%)], followed by type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) [4/1,249 (0.32%)], alopecia areata [3/1,249 (0.24%)], and rheumatoid arthritis [3/1,249 (0.24%)].

Organ-specific and systemic autoimmune disorders affect 22.6% of the PCOS women. The investigation of autoimmune markers in diabetic women with PCOS might be essential for the precise diagnosis. Further studies on associations between PCOS, skin and systemic inflammatory disorders might be of clinical importance.