Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is being recognized as a global marker of chronic inflammation, high level of oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to investigate the relation between the level of RDW and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin resistance, BMI and body fat percentage in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 90 PCOS (2003 Rotterdam Consensus Conference criteria) and 87 normal women, age and BMI-matched. Complete blood counts, fasting serum glucose, serum insulin, hs-CRP, lipids, and free testosterone levels were measured. The homoeostasis model assesement of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated.

Results: RDW levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared with the control group (12.98±0.92 vs 12.59±0.84%, P=0.004). There was a relation between RDW level and BMI, body fat percentage, hs-CRP and insulin resistance. In logistic regression analysis, high level of RDW was determined as an independent risk factor for the development of PCOS (OR=2.08, 95% CI=1.18–3.67, P=0.011). However, in multiple regression analysis, insulin resistance, hs-CRP level, BMI and body fat percentage were found to have no effect on RDW level.

Conclusions: In our study, the level of RDW was a risk factor for the development of PCOS, independent from insulin resistance, hs-CRP and free testosterone levels. For this reason, elucidating the mechanism of higher RDW levels in women with PCOS can provide additional information about pathophysiology of PCOS.

Key Words: PCOS, RDW, hs-CRP, insulin resistance.