Thyroid volume as a marker of early atherosclerosis in women with PCOS: association with carotid intima-media thickness

KARATOPRAK K., SAYGILI E. S., Bostan H., KARAKILIÇ E.

BIOMARKERS IN MEDICINE, vol.20, no.10, pp.557-567, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17520363.2026.2631622
  • Journal Name: BIOMARKERS IN MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.557-567
  • Keywords: atherosclerosis, carotid intima–media thickness, Polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid volume, visceral adiposse tissue
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the determinants of thyroid volume (TV) in euthyroid women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess the association between TV and cardiovascular risk, with a particular focus on carotid intima - media thickness (CIMT). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 participants (46 women with PCOS and 54 age-matched healthy controls). Only euthyroid participants were enrolled. TV was measured by ultrasonography, and CIMT was evaluated as a marker of early atherosclerosis. Biochemical markers were recorded. Multiple regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: Women with PCOS had significantly higher TV compared to controls [13.4 ml (IQR: 9.8-17.4) vs. 11.3 ml (IQR: 9.6-12.9), p = 0.041]. TV was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.485, p < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.419, p = 0.004), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.406, p = 0.005). CIMT was independently predicted by total testosterone (beta = 0.296, p = 0.040), LH/FSH ratio (beta = -0.398, p = 0.005) and TV (beta = 0.306, p = 0.036). ROC analysis showed that TV moderately predicted elevated CIMT (AUC = 0.68; optimal cutoff =14.5 mL). Discussion: TV was independently associated with CIMT in euthyroid women with PCOS, suggesting that thyroid morphology may serve as a complementary, noninvasive marker of early atherosclerotic changes.