Role of inflammatory markers in polycystic ovaries syndrome: In relation to insulin resistance

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between plasma levels of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C reactive protein (CRP), and interlukin-6 (IL-6) with insulin resistance in Saudi women with polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS). Methods: One hundred eighty Saudi women with and without PCOS, aged 22-38 years, were randomly recruited in this age and body mass index matched case-control study. Clinical assessment, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters were determined for all study participants. Results: Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, hs-CRP, insulin, and insulin resistance indices were significantly higher among PCOS group than their age and BMI matched controls (p < 0.05). Results showed that only QUICK-I (beta = -0.247, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: -3.009 to -0.977) independently predicted TNF-alpha levels after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions: Elevated plasma levels of TNF- alpha and IL-6 among PCOS women reflects a state of chronic inflammation with potential implication for insulin resistance, independent of obesity.