Studying levels of homocysteine in diagnosed cases of polycystic ovary syndrome

: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by an ovulatory infertility, menstrual dysfunction, and hirsutism. The pathophysiology behind PCOS is complex. Comorbidities associated with PCOS are hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular events. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of homocysteine in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In the current case–control study, 50 female patients diagnosed with PCOS and 40 apparently healthy controls were recruited. The diagnosis of PCOS was established according to Rotterdam criteria. The serum homocysteine level was measured using Cobas 6000 and compared between two study groups. Results: Results found that high percentage of patients in the case group had abnormal level of homocysteine (74.0%) compared to control with normal level of homocysteine. Mean homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with PCOS (17 μmol/L) compared to its level in control patients (9 μmol/L), P < 0.0001. Results also revealed that the mean levels of homocysteine between the body mass index categories and marital status showed no significant difference in cases and controls, P > 0.05. Conclusions: The present investigation suggests that higher level of serum homocysteine could be used as a biomarker for PCOS.