THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON CIRCULATING PRO-INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is an endocrinological disorder in females of reproductive age with a prevalence
rate of about 8-13%. Females suffering from PCOS have high risk of anxiety and depression which further leads to chronic
low grade inflammation. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the correlation between the serum levels of Cortisol, hs-CRP,
IL-6, and TNF-α and anxiety scale (Sinha anxiety scale) was statically analyzed to clearly understand their role in PCOS.
Material and method: 186 PCOS subjects and 186 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All the participants
underwent blood tests (S.cortisol, Hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α) as well as Sinha anxiety scale for assess the anxiety score.
Results: BMI, SBP, S.cortisol, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in PCOS subjects. Whereas, the DBP, Sinha
anxiety scale, and Hs-CRP were higher but not significant in PCOS subjects. There was no correlation observe between
cortisol & IL-6, cortisol & HsCRP, and cortisol & Sinha anxiety scale; however negative correlation had been observed in
between DBP & TNF-α. Furtherrmore, positive correlation was observed between IL-6 & SBP.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that the increased symptoms of anxiety and psychological stress elevates the proinflammatory cytokines levels in the PCOS subjects, and these biochemical markers are associated with obesity and SBP.
We proposed that potential adverse psychological implications of PCOS along with pro-inflammatory cytokine should be
followed up with a mental health professional.