The Value of Serum Adiponectin in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women at reproductive age associated with reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. It may be the most common cause of anovulation, early pregnancy loss, and later pregnancy complications. Adiponectin is the most abundant adipokine and is mainly secreted from visceral fat cells. It might be responsible for the metabolic and neuroendocrine derangements characteristic of obesity and obesity-related disease, such as PCOS. We aimed to evaluate the level of serum adiponectin in PCOS and the potential use of adiponectin as a biomarker for PCOS.

Methods: This case control study was carried on 100 patients, aged between 20–35 years, who were equally divided into four groups based on the diagnosis of PCOS; 2 case groups and 2 control groups. Group 1 were non-obese PCOS subjects with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2. Group 2 were obese PCOS subjects with BMI >25 kg/m2. Control groups were selected as; group 3 were non-obese control group with BMI <25 kg/m2. Group 4 were obese control group with BMI >25 kg/m2.

Results: Adiponectin was significantly lower in group 1 than group 3 and 4 (P2 and P3 <0.001). While it was significantly lower in group 2 than group 1, 3 and 4 and was significantly lower in group 4 than group 3 (P1 = 0.021, P4 and P5 <0.001).

Conclusion: Serum adiponectin level may be taken into consideration as a biomarker for confirmation of PCOS diagnosis. The relationship between adiponectin and BMI suggests that adiponectin could serve as a marker for disease risk and provide opportunity for earlier intervention.