Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Among Young Women Attending the Gynecology Outpatient Department
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/em28pf66Keywords:
Polycystic ovary syndrome, adolescents, prevalence, hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity, clinical presentation.Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder in young women, necessitating early detection to prevent long-term reproductive and metabolic complications. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and delineate the clinical and metabolic features of PCOS in young women aged 15–24 years attending a gynecology outpatient department and to compare the findings with current international trends. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using hospital records and a structured survey for 312 eligible young women in a tertiary hospital's gynecology OPD over one year (2023). Diagnosis was based on the 2018 International Evidence-Based Guideline, adjusted for adolescent-specific criteria (1, 8). Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and odds ratios were used, with a significance level set at. Results: The prevalence of PCOS was, aligning with the upper range of global estimates. The most common features were oligo-anovulation, clinical hyperandrogenism, and acne. Insulin resistance was found in of PCOS cases, rising significantly to in the overweight/obese subgroup. Sedentary lifestyle was also significantly associated with PCOS. Conclusion: PCOS is highly prevalent in young women seeking gynecology care, presenting with a clinical and metabolic profile comparable to international findings. The high rates of insulin resistance, particularly in overweight/obese subjects, underscore the necessity of early metabolic screening and the implementation of comprehensive lifestyle intervention programs.
References
1. Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF, Dokras A, Laven J, Moran L, et al. Recommendations from the International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2018;33(9):1602–1618.
2. Azziz R, Dumesic DA, Goodarzi MO. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Ancient Disorder? Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2019;15(3):154–164.
3. Wolf WM, Wattick RA, Kinkade ON, Olfert MD. Geographical Prevalence of PCOS as Determined by Region and Race/Ethnicity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(11):2589.
4. Bozdag G, Mumusoglu S, Zengin D, Karabulut E, Yildiz BO. The Prevalence and Phenotypic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(12):2841–2855.
5. Kakoly NS, Moran LJ, Teede H, Joham AE. Cardiometabolic Risks in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Endocr Rev. 2019;40(1):199–220.
6. Ding T, Hardiman PJ, Petersen I, Wang FF, Qu F, Baio G. The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Reproductive-Aged Women: A Meta-Analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. 2017;176(2):R53–R63.
7. Ibáñez L, Oberfield SE, Witchel SF, Auchus RJ, Chang RJ, Codner E, et al. An International Consortium Update: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of PCOS. Pediatrics. 2017;140(6):e20164098.
8. Peña AS, Witchel SF, Hoeger KM, Oberfield SE, Vogiatzi MG, Misso M, et al. Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome According to the International Evidence-Based Guideline. BMC Med. 2020;18(1):72.
9. Dumesic DA, Oberfield SE, Stener-Victorin E, Marshall JC, Laven JSE, Legro RS. Scientific Statement on PCOS Pathophysiology and Treatment. Endocr Rev. 2022;43(5):1005–1047.
10. Li R, Zhang Q, Yang D, Li S, Lu S, Wu X, et al. Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Chinese Women: A Large Population-Based Study. Hum Reprod. 2020;35(5):1079–1088.
11. Escobar-Morreale HF. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Definition, Aetiology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2018;14(5):270–284.
12. Witchel SF, Oberfield SE, Rosenfield RL, Codner E, Bonny A, Ibáñez L. The Diagnosis of PCOS During Adolescence. J Endocr Soc. 2019;3(8):1545–1573.
13. Al-Khafaji M, Abdul Rahman T, Ismail A. Clinical Characteristics and Biochemical Profiles of Young Women with PCOS in a Middle Eastern Tertiary Hospital. BMC Womens Health. 2021;21:212.
14. Jiménez-Solís N, Sánchez-Garrido MA, Hernández-Sánchez C, Ruiz-Pino F, Tena-Sempere M. Metabolic Dysfunction in PCOS: Mechanisms and Treatment Implications. Front Endocrinol. 2022;13:842248.
15. Rohlfing CL, Frank M, Adashi EY. Variability in Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of PCOS Among Adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2023;72(2):304–312.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Shazia, Hadiqa (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
