Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. It is characterized by menstrual abnormalities, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries and can lead to many complications. Studies have postulated the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of PCOS. As acute phase reactants often serve as markers of inflammation, this study aimed to evaluate the role of inflammatory markers in women with PCOS and healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 participants were enrolled; 30 cases of PCOS and 30 age matched healthy controls. Peripheral venous blood was collected for assessment of CRP, serum albumin, serum total testosterone, serum fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose, following which statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: The CRP/albumin ratio was found to be significantly higher in women with PCOS as compared to healthy controls along with serum total testosterone and HOMA-IR. Correlation between CRP/albumin ratio and the levels of serum total testosterone and insulin resistance was found to be non-significant. CONCLUSION: An elevated CRP/albumin ratio in cases of PCOS compared to healthy controls supports the hypothesis of inflammation playing a key role in the pathophysiology of PCOS. CRP/albumin ratio can serve as a cheaper biochemical marker of the disease subject to further validation studies to establish its use in Indian population.