The relationship between sex hormones, metabolic markers, and cognitive linguistic functions in women with PCOS

OBJECTIVES: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrinopathy associated with a wide range of psychological disorders. Recent literature suggests a correlation between PCOS and cognitive linguistics disorders. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sex hormones, metabolic markers, and cognitive linguistic performance in patients with PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 48 women with PCOS and 56 healthy control women were included in the study. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess depressive symptoms [the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)] and linguistic capability [the Wechsler Vocabulary Subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) test and "Łatysz" non-word reading test]. Baseline cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Laboratory tests included measurements of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), glucose, insulin, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results were also obtained. RESULTS: We observed significant differences in testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, insulin, insulin measured in 120-minute post-OGTT, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values between women with and without PCOS. A negative correlation was found between the Wechsler Vocabulary Subtest of the WAIS-R test and testosterone, LDL, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Our study revealed a negative correlation between "Łatysz" non-word reading test and testosterone and a positive correlation between "Łatysz" non-word reading test and 120-minute post-OGTT blood glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is a relationship between hormonal, metabolic markers, and cognitive functions in patients suffering from PCOS.