Investigating the Relationship between Uterine and Ovarian Artery Indices and Follicles in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using Color Doppler
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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with characteristic ovarian morphology and endocrine dysfunction. Doppler ultrasonography can additionally characterize uterine and ovarian vascular impedance, although these measurements are not part of the core diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Objective: To compare uterine and ovarian Doppler indices between women with PCOS and controls and examine relationships between Doppler indices and ovarian follicular parameters. Methods: A comparative case-control Doppler study analyzed 80 women, including 50 with PCOS and 30 controls. Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography was performed during the early follicular phase. Uterine artery and bilateral ovarian artery pulsatility and resistance indices were recorded and correlated with available follicular measurements. Results: Mean uterine artery PI was 2.57±0.90 in the PCOS group and 2.45±0.70 in controls, a non-significant difference (mean difference 0.12, 95% CI −0.24 to 0.48; p=.508). Ovarian artery RI was 0.63±0.05 in PCOS and 0.66±0.09 in controls (p=.101). Ovarian artery PI was substantially lower in PCOS (1.05±0.20 vs 1.82±0.50; mean difference −0.77, 95% CI −0.96 to −0.58; p<0.001). Ovarian artery PI was inversely correlated with follicle count bilaterally (r=−0.580, p<0.001). Conclusion: Women with PCOS demonstrated markedly lower ovarian arterial pulsatility, whereas uterine PI and ovarian RI did not differ significantly after recalculation from the reported group summaries. Lower ovarian PI was associated with greater follicle count.
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