Clinical expression of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent girls

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the major causes of adolescent hyperandrogenism and menstrual disorders. Because there is no universal definition for adolescent PCOS, we recommend four out of five criteria: clinical and biologic evidence of hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinism, oligo-/amenorrhea, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography.     

Evidence-based approach for the use of ultrasound in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrinopathy, affecting 5-10% of women in the reproductive age group, with a wide spectrum of phenotypes. The cardinal features are hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and/or polycystic ovary (PCO) appearance. Three major diagnostic criteria for PCOS have been proposed by the National Institute of Health (NIH 1990), the Rotterdam European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group (ESHRE/ASRM 2003) and the recent task force of the Androgen Excess Society (AES 2006). The PCO appearance is not a prerequisite for the diagnosis of PCOS. The aim of this review was to assess the available evidence in order to highlight the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of PCOS. The evidence supports positive correlation between ultrasound features and biochemical indices of PCOS suggesting that ultrasound could play a role in prediction of PCOS severity and prognosis. Recent advances in ultrasonography resulted in a change of emphasis on the relative importance of total ovarian volume, follicle number and ovarian stromal changes in the diagnosis of PCO. In particular, ovarian stromal area/total area (S/A) ratio seems to have the most efficient diagnostic performance for hyperandrogenism. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a relatively new imaging modality that has the potential to improve the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound without adding much to the practical management of the syndrome. In addition to its role in the definition of PCO, ultrasound is helpful to predict fertility outcome in patients undergoing treatment.     

多囊卵巢综合征主要鉴别诊断

多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是育龄期妇女最常见的内分泌及代谢紊乱性疾病,属于以排卵障碍和高雄激素为主的功能紊乱性综合征。诊断PCOS必须排除其他导致排卵障碍和高雄激素的器质性疾病。     

Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorders among women in reproductive age, but diagnostic criteria used in clinical practice are still controversial. In 1990 the National Institute of HEALTH (NIH) conference on PCOS recommended that diagnostic criteria should include biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism and ovarian dysfunction (in the absence of non-classical adrenal hyperplasia) without considering the morphological diagnosis of polycystic ovary by ultrasound as an essential part of the diagnosis. In the Rotterdam PCOS workshop of May 2003, however, PCOS is diagnosed when 2 of the following criteria are recognized: oligomenorrhea and/or anovulation, clinical or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, ultrasound findings of polycystic ovary. Further-more, it is underlined that the metabolic study is not necessary for PCOS diagnosis, while it is suggested for "at risk patients" (obesity, diabetes, familiar and obstetrical history) with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A recent study carried out by our group underlined the role of ultrasound parameter, in particular suggesting a ratio between ovarian stroma area and total area of the ovarian section (S/A), with a cut-off of 0.34, as "gold parameter" for PCOS diagnosis, because it shows high sensitivity and specificity (96.3%, 97.0% for the S/A).     

Endometrial abnormality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy associated with infertility and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age. Although the clinical and biochemical features are heterogeneous with individuals, the most widely accepted clinical characteristics of PCOS are oligo- or anovulation combined with hyperandrogenism. With the higher rate of implantation failure after induction of ovulation or higher risk of spontaneous miscarriage after pregnancy, the reduced fertility is apparently attributed not only to anovulation but also to endometrial dysfunction in patients with PCOS. Here we review the features of the endometrial abnormalities in women with PCOS. The ability to improve the endometrial functions is of potential therapeutic targets to increase reproductive outcome of women with PCOS.     

Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a diagnosis of exclusion, with other androgen excess and ovulatory dysfunction disorders to be ruled out. There are 3 principal features of the syndrome, including hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. These features have been included in slightly different permutations in the 3 criteria currently available to diagnose PCOS, including that of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 1990, Rotterdam 2003, and the Androgen Excess Society 2006. Overall, at least 1 in 15 women of reproductive age will be affected by PCOS, making this disorder the most common endocrine abnormality in this age group, with a health burden of over 4 billion dollars in the United States alone.     

Toward a new approach: primary and preventive care of the woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism, affects approximately 5%–10% of reproductive-age women. The reproductive consequences of this syndrome, such as menstrual irregularities and infertility, are well understood and managed by obstetrician/gynecologists. However, less is known about the metabolic consequences of PCOS. As primary physicians for women, we are obligated to promote disease prevention. This can be done by recognizing the significant impact that the metabolic consequences of PCOS have on long-term health while continuing to recognize and treat the reproductive abnormalities. This article reviews the metabolic consequences of PCOS, discusses the use of insulin-sensitizing agents in PCOS, and discusses the role of the obstetrician/gynecologist in the primary and preventive care of women with PCOS.     

Influence of oral contraceptive pills on phenotype expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by a heterogeneous phenotype including chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. The use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) alters features characteristic for the syndrome. In the present study, PCOS features were compared between women using or not using OCP at the time of the study. One hundred and one women diagnosed with normogonadotrophic anovulatory infertility were included. A total of 81 (80%) women were diagnosed with PCOS (revised 2003 criteria). From these women, a total of 54 did not use OCP, whereas 27 women did. Corrected for age, women taking OCP had increased serum concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin (P < 0.001). Serum concentrations of testosterone (P = 0.04) and androstenedione (P = 0.01) were decreased. These differences resulted in a decreased free androgen index for women currently taking OCP compared with women without (P < 0.001). The mean ovarian volume/ovary and the mean follicle number/ovary were not different. Use of OCP influences phenotype expression (the observable trait) of individual women known to suffer from PCOS by reducing hyperandrogenism. Despite taking OCP, women still fulfilled the revised 2003 criteria for the syndrome, as PCO morphology was still present. Hence, OCP use does not appreciably affect the PCOS phenotype.     

Hyperinsulinism and its interaction with hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. It has become increasingly evident that insulin resistance plays a significant role both as a cause and result of the syndrome. The purpose of this review is to summarize the possible mechanisms leading to insulin resistance and resultant hyperinsulinism (HI) and their interaction with hyperandrogenism (HA) in PCOS. We conducted a computerized search of MEDLINE for relevant studies in the English literature published between January 1966 and January 2000. We reviewed all studies that investigated the roles of insulin, insulin receptor, and insulin gene in insulin resistance and its interaction with hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Insulin resistance in PCOS seems to involve a postbinding defect in the insulin receptor and/or in the receptor signal transduction. Current research has focused on identifying a genetic predisposition for insulin resistance in this syndrome. The answer to the question whether HI or HA is the initiating event is still unclear inasmuch as there are clinical and molecular evidences to support both of these approaches. Our view is that whichever is the triggering insult, a vicious cycle is established where HI acts to aggravate HA and vice versa. In this model, obesity and genetic predisposition seem to be the independent factors that can give rise or contribute to HI, HA, or both simultaneously. It seems that "hyperinsulinemic hyperandrogenism" represents a significant subgroup of PCOS, which probably needs to be renamed and reclassified in the light of this new approach.     

Genetics of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive system disorder characterized by irregular menses, anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and/or acne), ovarian micropolycystic appearance and metabolic abnormalities, such as hyperinsulinaemia and obesity. The aetiopathogenesis of this syndrome is not well known. Several pathogenetic hypotheses have been proposed to explain the full array of symptoms and signs, but with elusive results. A genetic abnormality causing PCOS is supported by the observation that different members of the same family are often affected, and about half of the sisters of PCOS women have elevated serum testosterone concentrations. Therefore, the presence of gene abnormalities in women with PCOS has been widely explored in the attempt to establish whether their mutations or polymorphisms may cause PCOS. The main genes evaluated are those involved in steroidogenesis, steroid hormone effects, gonadotrophin release regulation and action, insulin secretion and action, and adipose tissue metabolism. Despite the vast body of literature produced, none of the genes evaluated seems to play a key role in PCOS pathogenesis. It is likely that PCOS may represent the final outcome of different, deeply inter-related genetic abnormalities that influence each other and perpetuate the syndrome.     

Characteristics of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Bulgarian population

Aim. Our aim was to investigate the percentage occurrence of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Bulgarian population, and their clinical, biochemical and hormonal characteristics.

Methods. The study included 70 women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. The women were divided into four phenotypes: hyperandrogenism (HA) + oligo-/anovulation (OA) + polycystic ovaries at ultrasound (PCO) (full-blown syndrome, phenotype A); HA + OA (former National Institutes of Health definition, phenotype B); OA + PCO (phenotype C); and HA + PCO (phenotype D). Serum levels of testosterone, immune-reactive insulin, sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lipid metabolism parameters were measured. Free androgen index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were calculated. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were assessed.

Results. The percentages of phenotypes A, B, C and D in a Bulgarian population are 58.6%, 11.4%, 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively. The women with the classical form of PCOS (phenotypes A and B) were more obese, had more strongly expressed hyperandrogenemia, and were more insulin-resistant compared with the women of phenotypes C and D.

Conclusion. There is a significant difference in anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic indices between the classical form and the clinical variants of PCOS in the studied Bulgarian population.     

Characteristics of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Bulgarian population.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the percentage occurrence of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Bulgarian population, and their clinical, biochemical and hormonal characteristics. METHODS: The study included 70 women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. The women were divided into four phenotypes: hyperandrogenism (HA) + oligo-/anovulation (OA) + polycystic ovaries at ultrasound (PCO) (full-blown syndrome, phenotype A); HA + OA (former National Institutes of Health definition, phenotype B); OA + PCO (phenotype C); and HA + PCO (phenotype D). Serum levels of testosterone, immune-reactive insulin, sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lipid metabolism parameters were measured. Free androgen index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were calculated. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were assessed. RESULTS: The percentages of phenotypes A, B, C and D in a Bulgarian population are 58.6%, 11.4%, 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively. The women with the classical form of PCOS (phenotypes A and B) were more obese, had more strongly expressed hyperandrogenemia, and were more insulin-resistant compared with the women of phenotypes C and D. CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic indices between the classical form and the clinical variants of PCOS in the studied Bulgarian population.     

Cardiovascular risk factors are reduced with a low dose of acarbose in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined by menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and enlarged ovaries with multiple follicles. Polycystic ovary syndrome is highly prevalent in women, affecting up to 10% of all women of reproductive age and reducing the possibility of spontaneous conception. In addition to altering reproductive function, PCOS has systemic implications, especially in the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) in PCOS patient increases because of insulin resistance, elevated androgen levels, and association with obesity. Those alterations promote cardiovascular risk factors, such as endothelial dysfunction, elevated homocysteine levels, left ventricular hypertrophy, and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (1).     

Dyslipidemia involvement in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is widely accepted as the most common endocrine abnormality in women of childbearing age and may be accompanied by dyslipidemia, hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress and infertility. Dyslipidemia is now known to play an important role in the development of PCOS. Lipid abnormalities, including elevated low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels and reduced high-density lipoprotein levels, are often found in women with PCOS and play an important role in PCOS; therefore, we summarize the effect of lipid abnormalities on hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and infertility in PCOS and review the effects of common lipid-lowering drugs on patients with PCOS. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the mechanisms of lipid metabolism abnormalities in the development of PCOS.     

Visceral adiposity index as a predictor of clinical severity and therapeutic outcome of PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disease which often accompany with abnormal fat distribution. Visceral adiposity has association with abnormal lipid metabolic, pro-inflammatory activity, insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenism. Increased visceral adiposity raises the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (CV) events, and aggravates ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism in PCOS women. Visceral adiposity index (VAI), a simple surrogate maker of visceral adipose dysfunction and visceral adiposity, is a predictor of IR, and link hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism and anovulation. This review aims to discuss the visceral adiposity situation in PCOS women, and suggests that VAI may be a useful predictor of clinical severity and therapeutic outcome of PCOS.     

Hirsutism and acne in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality affecting reproductive age women. Population-based studies estimate a prevalence of 5-10% [Obstet Gynecol 101 (2003) 995; Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 41 (2001) 202]. The clinical characteristics of PCOS include hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, insulin resistance and infertility. Hyperandrogenism is generally manifested as hirsutism and acne. Both these clinical symptoms are treated with similar drug therapies, including oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), topical medications or antiandrogens such as spironolactone, flutamide and finasteride, as well as topical medications. Recent studies have shown that lower doses of these medications are as efficacious as high doses and have the advantage of decreased cost and an improved side-effect profile. Although hirsutism and acne can be considered cosmetic in nature, they cause significant social embarrassment and emotional distress. Physicians should be sensitive to these issues and approach patients in a caring and sympathetic manner.     

Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent disease, characterized by disturbed ovarian function with hyperandrogenism. Anovulation is secondary to an absence of follicular dominance. Apart from a primary ovarian defect, insulin resistance is observed in PCOS women, even in the absence of overweight. This insulin resistance could be secondary to a defect in the insulin transduction pathway, mainly by a defect in receptor phosphorylation. It enhances hyperandrogenism as it increases ovarian androgen production. Therefore treating insulin resistance by weight loss or drugs reducing insulin resistance might improve fertility of PCOS women. Metformin has been shown to reduce ovarian production, enhance ovulatory cycles and in some cases increase fertility. However, there are few randomized studies on large numbers of patients to prove an effect on pregnancies as well as on the occurrence of early pregnancy loss. There are currently no recommendation on dose and duration of metformin treatment. It is noteworthy that metformin has no authorization in France to be prescribed apart from diabetic patients' care. Considering the medical care of PCOS women, the cardiovascular risk needs to be taken into account. Therefore hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes must be treated in those women who need to be followed carefully all over their life.     

A study on clinical and sonographic features in obese and nonobese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background  

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine metabolic dysfunction closely associated with obesity, which predisposes to pregnancy complications. PCOS is a common endocrine disorder affecting 5–10% of the population. It is characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism with clinical manifestations of oligomenorrhea, hirsutism and acne. Obese females are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome due to severe hyperandrogenemia, which also leads to high blood pressure.     

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist before frozen embryo transfer may improve ongoing pregnancy rates in hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting more than 5–10% of woman at reproductive childbearing age, is characterized by anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) has been widely used for PCOS women to minimize the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, the hyperandrogenic status of PCOS women deteriorates endometrial function, which has subsequently increased miscarriage rates in PCOS women. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to compare the pregnancy outcomes of hyperandrogenic PCOS women with (n?=?29) and without (n?=?31, controls) pretreatment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist before frozen-thawed ET. We found that pretreatment with GnRH agonist before frozen-thawed ETs could not significantly improve the clinical pregnancy rate in these hyperandrogenic PCOS women. However, the ongoing pregnancy rate was significantly increased in women with GnRH agonist pretreatment (odds ratio: 3.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.12–14.20, p?=?0.033). We concluded that androgen deprivation status due to pretreatment with GnRH agonist might improve the ongoing pregnancy rate in hyperandrogenic PCOS women. Additional large, well-designed prospective studies are worthwhile and necessary.     

汉族育龄多囊卵巢综合征患者的临床特征及分析

目的探讨汉族育龄妇女患多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的临床特征。方法根据欧洲人类生殖协会(ESHRE)和美国生殖医学协会(ASRM)提出的,将符合稀发排卵、高雄激素征象及卵巢多囊样表现3项中的2项即可诊断PCOS的标准(即ESHRE/ASRM诊断标准),采用分层整群随机抽样的方法,以问卷方式调查了山东省济南市某地区1027名育龄妇女,对检出的PCOS患者的临床表现、糖代谢特征进行分析;并与同期94名月经正常、已正常生育、无痤疮、无男性毛发分布及无卵巢多囊表现等的妇女(对照组)进行比较。结果(1)1027份调查问卷,收回有效问卷828份(即828名调查对象),问卷反馈率为80·62%。共检出PCOS患者85例,其中≤35岁患者为97·65%(83/85)。(2)同年龄段PCOS患者的月经周期较对照组长,反映临床高雄激素征象及程度的多毛F-G分数、睾酮、游离雄激素指数较对照组高,平均小卵泡数均较对照组多,血清性激素结合球蛋白较对照组降低,以上两者分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0·01)。85例PCOS者的月经稀发程度、F-G分数、痤疮的发生情况、平均小卵泡数,随年龄增长呈现逐渐缩短或降低的趋势。(3)PCOS有不孕史患者的胰岛素抵抗指数为1·49±0·73,无不孕史患者为1·31±0·66,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(t=2·058;P<0·05)。PCOS肥胖患者的空腹胰岛素为(8·50±3·46)mU/L、空腹血糖为(5·70±2·27)mmol/L、胰岛素敏感指数为0·025±0·015;非肥胖患者空腹胰岛素为(5·45±0·54)mU/L、空腹血糖为(4·88±0·45)mmol/L,胰岛素敏感指数为0·044±0·026,以上两者比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0·01,P<0·05)。结论按照ESHRE/ASRM诊断标准,35岁以下的育龄妇女是PCOS患者的主要群体;PCOS患者的稀发排卵、高雄激素征象、卵巢多囊表现等临床特征随年龄增长而变化;育龄期PCOS合并不孕、肥胖患者存在糖代谢改变,应重视其胰岛素抵抗现象。