Background The purpose of our study is to evaluate the association of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with hormonal and metabolic parameters in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in order to assess whether these ratios may become useful tools during the evaluation of the severity of low grade inflammation. Methods The present study is based in secondary outcomes from a prospectively collected patient database. A total of 266 women with PCOS participated in this study and blood a complete blood count examination (CBC) that was used for the calculation of PLR and NLR was available in 182 patients. Results Association statistics revealed that PLR had a significant correlation to 17-OH progesterone (r = -0.177, p = 0.024) and Matsuda index values (r = 0.234, p = 0.009), whereas NLR was correlated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (r = -0.204, p = 0.007), free testosterone (r = 320, p < 0.001), Δ4-androstendione (r = 0.234, p = 0.003), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (r = -0.350, p < 0.002) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = -0.171, p = 0.039). Conclusion According to the findings of our study, both PLR and NLR seem to be correlated with some hormonal and metabolic indices. This association is clearer in the case of NLR and serum androgens as it seems to be positively affected by their levels. PLR and NLR were not affected by the presence of obesity.
Keywords: NLR; PCOS; PLR; androgen; inflammation.