Demodex folliculorum in polycystic ovary syndrome patients

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate frequency of Demodex (D.) folliculorum infestation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 30 PCOS patients and 30 matched healthy control subjects admitted to the Hospital of Mustafa Kemal University, Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic between March 2013 and January 2014. The demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Samples from the face region of the subjects were taken by standard method of superficial skin biopsy and evaluated by microscopy. Presence of five or more D. species in a cm(2) was considered as positive. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus incidence between PCOS patients and the control group. However, D. folliculorum infestation was found to increased in PCOS patients (n = 9; 30%) when compared to the control group (n = 2; 6, 7%) (p: 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results revealed that Demodex folliculorum appearance increased in PCOS patients.