Metabolic and Hormonal Profile of Adolescent Girls With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Concomitant Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Introduction Both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) are considered to be among the most common endocrinopathies in young women, and they are classified as diseases that affect many processes in the human body. Their role in the development of metabolic disorders and diseases of the cardiovascular system in adult women is also emphasized. However, there are no data available to assess such risk in the teenage girl population. The aim of the study was to assess the hormonal and metabolic profile of adolescent girls with PCOS, additionally diagnosed with AT, as well as to identify possible risk factors for the coexistence of AT and PCOS. Material and Methods 80 euthyroidic PCOS patients were qualified for the study (chronological age 16.54 +/- 1.00 years, BMI 24.60 +/- 4.16 kg/m(2)). Eighteen girls diagnosed with AT were included in the study group and 62 girls without AT-in the control group. Each patient had biochemical and hormonal tests performed. Additionally, to diagnose AT, the level of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG), as well as the image of the thyroid gland on ultrasound examination, were taken into account. Results Estradiol concentration was significantly higher in the study than in the control group (203.00 +/- 217.00 vs. 152.00 +/- 78.50 pmol/L, p=0.02). Higher DHEAS concentrations were also observed in the AT group compared with the group without AT (391.28 +/- 176.40 vs. 317.93 +/- 114.27 mu g/dl, p=0.04). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between AT and estradiol concentration (r(y)=0.27; p=0.04). It was also shown that there is a tendency toward statistical significance for the positive correlation between the positive anti-TPO titer and the glucose concentration at 120 min OGTT (r(-)=0.26; p=0.07) and girls with PCOS and AT had higher glucose levels in 120 min OGTT (115.29 +/- 41.70 vs. 98.56 +/- 28.02 mg/dl, p=0.08). Conclusion The study results showed no difference in the metabolic profile between the groups. The high concentration of estradiol found in girls with PCOS and AT may indicate the role of this hormone in the development of the autoimmune process. However, the numbers are small, and more research is needed to confirm our findings.

Automated summary

The study aimed to assess the hormonal and metabolic profile of adolescent girls with PCOS additionally diagnosed with AT, finding higher estradiol and DHEAS concentrations in the AT group. Positive correlation between AT and estradiol concentration was observed, along with a tendency towards higher glucose levels in girls with PCOS and AT, indicating a potential role of estradiol in the development of the autoimmune process. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.