Investigation of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels in patients with polcystic ovar syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), a potent inhibitor of fibrinolysis, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: 38 women with PCOS and 37 healthy controls, attented to Adnan Menderes University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, were recruited for this prospective study during July 2013-February 2014. Demographic features, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), systolic, diastolic arterial blood pressures and modified Ferriman Gallwey (mFG) scores were noted. Laboratory tests included fasting glucose, fasting insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), free testosterone, International Normalised Ratio (INR), prothrombin time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT). LH/FSH ratio and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. TAFI levels were measured using IMUCLONE TAFI ELISA test. Student T and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: TAFI, fasting insulin, DHEAS, LH and free testosterone levels, HOMA-IR, LH/FSH ratio, WHR, mFG scores were found to be significantly higher in PCOS group than the control group. No significant difference was found in age, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting glucose levels, FSH levels, INR, PT, APTT. Key words:PCOS, TAFI