Background: The link between AIT and PCOS has been reported on several studies, but it's true pathogenesis is far from being elucidated. In an attempt to provide evidence of the relationship between PCOS and AIT, relevant literature of AIT markers in women with PCOS was reviewed and analyzed.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane trial register were searched with English language restriction for only human beings. Data were collected and analyzed by Revman.
Results: A total of 6 studies, involving 726 PCOS patients and 879 controls, were eligible for our meta-analysis. Conculsion: The prevalence of AIT, serum TSH, anti-TPO and anti-Tg positive rate in PCOS patients are all significantly higher than those in control groups, which suggests PCOS may be a kind of autoimmune disease and has close association with AIT. So, It will be helpful to assess thyroid function routinely in patients with PCOS and offer thyroid hormone replacement therapy if necessary.
Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; atuoimmune diseases; meta-analysis; thyroiditis.