Doppler flow velocities of uterine and ovarian arteries & hormonal patterns in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex disorder characterized by elevated androgens, chronic anovulation, and polycystic picture on ultrasound it is one of the most common hormonal disorders, affecting 5%–10% of women of reproductive age. Despite many diagnostic criteria, controversies still exist in definition, evaluation and management of PCOS. Aims and Objective: To investigate blood flow velocities in the ovarian stromal artery and uterine artery in women with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to correlate these velocities with clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters. Methods: This prospective case control study analyzed 35 consecutive patients with PCOS (cases) and 35 age-matched women without PCOS (controls). Results: The women with PCOS had a significantly higher Weight, BMI, WHR, LH/FHS ratio, ovarian volume, and follicles in periphery of ovary and hirsutism score compared with women in the control group. The mean values of PI of ovarian stromal artery was 0.96±0.19 in cases and 2.6±0.26 in controls and the mean values of uterine artery PI is 2.8±0.41 in cases and 2±0.27 in controls (p<.05). On correlating these velocities with clinical, biochemical and hormonal patterns there was inverse correlation ovarian stromal artery PI with DHEA-S and LH. Also, there was positive significant correlation of uterine artery PI with DHEA-S. Conclusion: Results from the study indicates that transvaginal color Doppler evaluation of uterine and intraovarian arteries can be added to the traditional endocrinologic and ultrasonographic parameters clinically used for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.