Publication:

Clinical, ultrasonographical and hormonal correlation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of fertile age. The prevalence, time of onset and severity of clinical presentation vary among different ethnic and racial groups. Though there is significant reproductive, endocrine and metabolic morbidity of PCOS, very little is known about its different modes of presentation in Indian population. It is a cross sectional observational study. The objective To study the correlation between the clinical, ultrasonographical and hormonal features in women diagnosed as PCOS based on the revised diagnostic criteria, 2003.

Methods A cross-sectional study of 74 PCOS women who had oligo ovulatory cycles and polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound was done. Data about menstrual history and anthropometric measurements were collected. Clinical observations of acne and hirsutism were made.  Transvaginal ultrasonography and biochemical analysis for free testosterone was done.

Results In all, 74 PCOS women were studied and analyzed. The mean age was 24.88±4.03, mean BMI was 25.48 ±3.75 and mean free testosterone was 3.81±4.05. Among the PCOS women 39.8% were hirsute, 10.1% were obese, 2.3% had acne and 38% were hyperandrogenemic. Of the hyperandrogenemic women 61.2% were hirsute, 53.22% were obese and 36.54% had acne.  The association between BMI and free testosterone level was statistically significant (p=0.0023). BMI was moderately correlated with hyperandrogenemia (r=0.446). The mean left ovarian volume was higher in obese than in non-obese women, which was statistically significant (p=0.003). The mean left ovarian volume was high in hyperandrogenemic women which was statistically significant (p=0.00034).

Conclusions In the present study it was found that there is association between obesity and free testosterone level which was significant. There was statistically significant association between ovarian volume and obesity. Similarly, there was association between ovarian volume and hyperandrogenemia which was significant. Hirsutism and acne had no association with hyperandrogenemia.