The Effect of Smoking on the Clinical and Biochemical Profile of Greek Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This study investigated the impact of smoking on the biochemical and clinical profiles of Greek women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It was a retrospective study involving 309 women, divided into non-smokers (217) and smokers (92). The study found that smokers had significantly higher levels of free testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, Δ4-androstenedione, T4, LDL, and white blood cells. There was a significant positive correlation between pack years and levels of free testosterone, Δ4-androstenedione, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and white blood cells, while prolactin levels were inversely related to pack years. The study concluded that increased pack years worsened lipid profiles and white blood cell counts and reduced prolactin levels in PCOS patients, but there was no significant correlation with insulin resistance indicators.