EVALUATION OF HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Background: To determine the level of plasma homocysteine in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: In this prospective case-control study on 85 PCOS women and 83 controls matched by body mass index (BMI), homocysteine levels were assessed. Results: The mean level of homocysteine was 16.25 ± 11.94 ^mol/L in patients with PCOS and 11.58 ± 3.82 ^mol/L in controls (p=0.002). Patients with PCOS had a significantly higher risk for hyperhomocysteinemia compared with BMI-matched control women. Conclusion: These data suggest that homocysteine levels are elevated in the PCOS population. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.