High mean platelet volume, low-grade systemic coagulation and fibrinolytic activation are associated with androgen and insulin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome

The present study was designed to determine (a) the coagulation parameters, WBC and MPV levels; (b) whether there was any association between androgen and mean platelet volume and low-grade systemic coagulation in PCOS patients. A total of 48 patients with non-diabetic PCOS were studied in order to evaluate and compare with a non-PCOS group of 30 subjects. D-dimer, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), insulin, androgens, glucose, WBC and MPV concentrations were higher in women with PCOS. No difference was observed in fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time values between the two groups. Free testosterone was positively correlated with D-dimer, insulin, DHEAS, and MPV levels. In multiple stepwise regression analyses, free testosterone positively associated with D-dimer and DHEAS. MPV was positively correlated with insulin levels, HOMA-IR values, DHEAS and free testosterone levels in PCOS patients. In multiple stepwise regression analyses, MPV positively associated with insulin and DHEAS. PCOS patients had low-grade systemic coagulation and fibrinolytic activation as evidenced by elevated D-dimer, and increased WBC and MPV levels suggesting that hematological parameters could potentially be used as indicators of risk factor for atherosclerosis in PCOS women.