The Common Pathological Factors Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and COVID-19 Infection: A Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread hormone condition that engaged in infertility and metabolic disorders, like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of PCOS among women of reproductive age ranged from 6% to 10%. There are many pathophysiologic factors associated with PCOS development, including increased blood insulin level, which stimulates the overproduction of androgens. The second important factor is the low-grade inflammations that accompany PCOS condition. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been announced the widespread of coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The researchers documented the presence of certain diseases as risk factors for increased COVID-19 infection and severity including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. This study aims to review PCOS's comorbid conditions that can predispose to increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection or magnifying its complications or even causing death. Studies have indicated that women with PCOS have many factors and pathologies that greatly increase the incidence of complications of COVID-19. These factors include excessive androgen production, change in microbiome formation, obesity, insulin resistance, vitamin D deficiency, and NAFLD. These factors cause decreased immunity, increased inflammatory reactions, and increased expression of the ACE2 (the gate that enables the virus to penetrate the cells). Therefore, it is necessary to inform PCOS women in order to increase precautionary measures. These women with complicated health conditions should receive high-level health care.