Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes Using Updated Criteria for Polycystic Ovarian Morphology: An Assessment of Over 100 Consecutive Women Self-reporting Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Nina M Clark; Amanda J Podolski; Eric D Brooks; Donna R Chizen; Roger A Pierson; Denis C Lehotay; Marla E Lujan

doi:10.1177/1933719114522525

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes Using Updated Criteria for Polycystic Ovarian Morphology: An Assessment of Over 100 Consecutive Women Self-reporting Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Reprod Sci. 2014 Aug;21(8):1034-1043. doi: 10.1177/1933719114522525. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Authors

Nina M Clark¹, Amanda J Podolski¹, Eric D Brooks¹, Donna R Chizen², Roger A Pierson², Denis C Lehotay³, Marla E Lujan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Nutritional Sciences, Human Metabolic Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
² Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
³ Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
⁴ Division of Nutritional Sciences, Human Metabolic Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA mel245@cornell.edu.

Abstract

The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its distinct clinical phenotypes were assessed using 3 sets of international diagnostic criteria in women self-reporting concerns over outward features of PCOS. Revised ultrasonographic criteria for polycystic ovaries (PCO) based on modern ultrasound technology were used. Of the participants, 53%, 62%, and 70% were diagnosed with PCOS using National Institutes of Health, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, and Rotterdam criteria, respectively. Prevalence of Frank, Ovulatory, Normoandrogenic, and Non-PCO PCOS were 66%, 13%, 11%, and 9%, respectively. Frank PCOS was associated with the severest metabolic disturbances whereas metabolic profiles in Normoandrogenic PCOS did not differ from controls, supporting reduced health risks in women without androgen excess. Metabolic disturbances and hyperandrogenism were linked to excess adiposity across all the groups. Using updated criteria for PCO, the prevalence of Non-PCO PCOS and PCO alone in healthy women recruited from the general population was reduced compared to the previous reports.

Keywords: hirsutism; hyperandrogenism; phenotypes; polycystic ovary syndrome; ultrasonography.