Correlation between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveA growing body of research suggests that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be at increased risk of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and having both conditions can make the condition worse. However, current research views are not uniform. Therefore, to explore the link between PCOS and HT, we conducted this study.MethodsFrom the establishment of the database to August 2022, we searched 2 databases to study the correlation between Hashimoto’s and polycystic ovary syndrome. Two authors independently screened the articles for eligibility, and three authors extracted relevant data. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA16.0 software.ResultsA total of 20 studies were included, including 7 case-control studies and 13 cross-sectional studies. A total of 13 countries and 7857 participants were embraced. Studies have demonstrated that both PCOS patients have an increased risk of HT, and meanwhile, HT patients also have an increased risk of PCOS compared with controls. The study also incorporated that the prevalence of HT in PCOS patients in India and Turkey was higher than in other countries, and the prevalence of HT in PCOS patients in South America was higher than in Asia and Europe.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study illustrates that there is a correlation between PCOS and HT, and it is necessary to further study the underlying mechanism between PCOS and HT. At the same time, it is of great significance to regularly screen PCOS patients for HT risk and HT patients for PCOS risk.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD 42022351168.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid disorder: a comprehensive narrative review of the literature

“…Finally, a recent systematic review ( 29 ) including 20 studies and 7857 participants confirmed that women with PCOS have an increased risk of AIT versus patients without PCOS, and AIT prevalence was higher in South America versus Asia/Europe. This systematic review also showed that patients with AIT have an increased risk of developing PCOS versus patients without AIT, and PCOS prevalence was higher in India and Turkey versus other countries.…”

Impact of thyroid autoimmunity on the cumulative live birth rates after IVF/ICSI treatment cycles

“…In a meta-analysis of 13 studies evaluating 1,210 women with PCOS and 987 healthy controls, Romitti et al reported a significantly higher prevalence of TAI in women with PCOS compared with healthy controls (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.32–4.63) [ 13 ]. Another 2022 meta-analysis involving 7 case-control studies and 13 cross-sectional studies revealed patients with PCOS had a higher risk of developing thyroiditis (OR 2.28, 95%Cl 1.61–3.22) [ 14 ]. Petta et al conducted a cross-sectional study between 148 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis and 158 controls, discovering a similar frequency of TAI between the two groups (OR 0.61; 95% Cl 0.34–1.11) [ 15 ].…”

The Thyroid Hormone Axis and Female Reproduction

“…Nevertheless, causality remains elusive due to the known independent effects of hypothyroidism and PCOS on dyslipidemia and insulin resistance [ 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 ], which also extend to infertility [ 175 ]. Furthermore, autoimmunity also links AITD and PCOS, with one meta-analysis reporting a 3.3-fold odds of AITD in women with PCOS compared with those without [ 176 ] and another study noting AITD and PCOS to be risk factors for each other [ 177 ]. From a mechanistic standpoint, autoimmune ovarian dysfunction may exacerbate the PCOS phenotype in women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis [ 177 ].…”

“…Furthermore, autoimmunity also links AITD and PCOS, with one meta-analysis reporting a 3.3-fold odds of AITD in women with PCOS compared with those without [ 176 ] and another study noting AITD and PCOS to be risk factors for each other [ 177 ]. From a mechanistic standpoint, autoimmune ovarian dysfunction may exacerbate the PCOS phenotype in women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis [ 177 ]. The authors also reported lower AMH levels in conjunction with elevated TPOAbs.…”