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Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Dec 2016What is the reported overall prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the criteria of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rotterdam or the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
STUDY QUESTION
What is the reported overall prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the criteria of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rotterdam or the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AE-PCOS Society)?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The reported overall prevalence of PCOS (95% CI) according to diagnostic criteria of the NIH, Rotterdam and the AE-PCOS Society is 6% (5-8%, n = 18 trials), 10% (8-13%, n = 15 trials) and 10% (7-13%, n = 10 trials), respectively.
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN
PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Although many studies have investigated the prevalence of PCOS, there are discrepancies in their results, in part due to the use of various definitions of the syndrome and its subphenotypes, differences between study cohorts, ethnicities, and types of recruitment and sampling.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on all published studies that have reported the prevalence of PCOS according to at least one subset of diagnostic criteria.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
To identify relevant studies based on the PRISMA statement, PubMed and Ovid databases were searched up to September 2015 by two blind investigators using the terms 'PCOS', 'polycystic ovarian disease', 'Stein Leventhal syndrome', 'Androgen Excess Society', 'National Institute of Health', 'Rotterdam', 'ESHRE/ASRM', 'criteria' and 'prevalence'. Articles that represented the prevalence of PCOS according to at least one subset of diagnostic criteria were included. Exclusion criteria were a focus on adolescent subjects, an absence of data on prevalence, inappropriate design or non-English reporting. An appraisal tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the available studies was generated by the authors.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
A total of 55 reports remained following screening of the abstracts and text for the subject of the study. Of these, 24 articles were eligible and evaluated for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Since heterogeneity was observed among studies, a random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence and its 95% CI. The proportions of PCOS prevalence (95% CI) according to the diagnostic criteria of NIH, Rotterdam and AE-PCOS Society were 6% (5-8%, n = 18 trials), 10% (8-13%, n = 15 trials) and 10% (7-13%, n = 10 trials), respectively. When only unselected population studies were included, the given rates were 6% (5-8%, n = 3 trials), 9% (7-12%, n = 6 trials) and 10% (7-14%, n = 3 trials). The respective proportions for hirsutism, hyperandrogenaemia, polycystic ovaries (PCO) and oligo-anovulation were 13% (8-20%, n = 14 trials), 11% (8-15%, n = 9 trials), 28% (22-35%, n = 12 trials) and 15% (12-18%, n = 19 trials), respectively.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The effects of ethnic differences, particularly, on the presence or severity of hirsutism cannot be ruled out in any way. In addition, there was a lack of standardization in defining phenotypes of the syndrome and selection bias was evident in most of the studies regarding recruitment of the cohorts.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Geographical differences in frequencies of the components of the syndrome, such as oligo-anovulation and clinical/biochemical androgen excess, must be taken into account in the development and implementation of regional diagnostic and precision treatment strategies. Further efforts and resources are required to increase standardization of the methods and comparability of the study results on prevalence and phenotypic characterization of PCOS around the globe.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
No funding to declare. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
None.
Topics: Female; Humans; Phenotype; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prevalence
PubMed: 27664216
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew218 -
JAMA Jan 2022
Topics: Adolescent; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Female; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Mental Health; Oligomenorrhea; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Symptom Assessment
PubMed: 35040896
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.23769 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease in which endocrine metabolic abnormalities coexist with reproductive system abnormalities, with the main clinical... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease in which endocrine metabolic abnormalities coexist with reproductive system abnormalities, with the main clinical manifestations including abnormal menstruation, hirsutism, acne, infertility, and obesity, and it is also a high risk for the development of many pregnancy complications, gynecological malignancies and other diseases. Therefore, timely intervention to prevent the progression of PCOS is of great significance for improving the quality of life of most female patients. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in PCOS patients, with approximately 75% of PCOS patients experiencing varying degrees of IR. It is now believed that it is mainly related to the PI3K signaling pathway. The role of autophagy and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) in the pathogenesis of PCOS has also been gradually verified in recent years. Coincidentally, it also seems to be associated with the PI3K signaling pathway. Our aim is to review these relevant studies, to explore the association between the IR, cellular autophagy and apoptosis in PCOS patients and the PI3K pathway. We summarize some of the drug studies that have improved PCOS as well. We have also found that proteomics holds great promise in exploring the pathogenesis of PCOS, and we have published our views on this.
Topics: Female; Humans; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Insulin Resistance; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Quality of Life; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 36589825
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1091147 -
Journal of Ovarian Research Jan 2023Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by chronic ovulation dysfunction and overabundance of androgens; it affects 6-20% of women... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by chronic ovulation dysfunction and overabundance of androgens; it affects 6-20% of women of reproductive age. PCOS involves various pathophysiological factors, and affected women usually have significant insulin resistance (IR), which is a major cause of PCOS. IR and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia have differing pathogeneses in various tissues, and IR varies among different PCOS phenotypes. Genetic and epigenetic changes, hyperandrogenaemia, and obesity aggravate IR. Insulin sensitization drugs are a new treatment modality for PCOS. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and UpToDate databases in this review, and focused on the pathogenesis of IR in women with PCOS and the pathophysiology of IR in various tissues. In addition, the review provides a comprehensive overview of the current progress in the efficacy of insulin sensitization therapy in the management of PCOS, providing the latest evidence for the clinical treatment of women with PCOS and IR.
Topics: Female; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 36631836
DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-01091-0 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly recognized as a complex metabolic disorder that manifests in genetically susceptible women following a range of negative... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly recognized as a complex metabolic disorder that manifests in genetically susceptible women following a range of negative exposures to nutritional and environmental factors related to contemporary lifestyle. The hypothesis that PCOS phenotypes are derived from a mismatch between ancient genetic survival mechanisms and modern lifestyle practices is supported by a diversity of research findings. The proposed evolutionary model of the pathogenesis of PCOS incorporates evidence related to evolutionary theory, genetic studies, in utero developmental epigenetic programming, transgenerational inheritance, metabolic features including insulin resistance, obesity and the apparent paradox of lean phenotypes, reproductive effects and subfertility, the impact of the microbiome and dysbiosis, endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure, and the influence of lifestyle factors such as poor-quality diet and physical inactivity. Based on these premises, the diverse lines of research are synthesized into a composite evolutionary model of the pathogenesis of PCOS. It is hoped that this model will assist clinicians and patients to understand the importance of lifestyle interventions in the prevention and management of PCOS and provide a conceptual framework for future research. It is appreciated that this theory represents a synthesis of the current evidence and that it is expected to evolve and change over time.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Biological Evolution; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Life Style; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 35162359
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031336 -
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine Oct 2020Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women, its etiology is not entirely understood. Clinical symptoms of... (Review)
Review
Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women, its etiology is not entirely understood. Clinical symptoms of PCOS include acne, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, infertility, and mood disorders, which tend to be the primary focus of clinical management. However, the impact of PCOS on future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk should not be overlooked, and opportunities to implement CVD prevention strategies in these women should be given high priority. The pathogenesis of PCOS commonly involves insulin resistance which leads to several cardiometabolic abnormalities (e.g., dyslipidemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome), thereby putting women at an increased risk for CVD. Prior studies have found that subclinical CVD markers such as coronary artery calcium scores, C-reactive protein, carotid intima-media thickness, and endothelial dysfunction are more likely to be increased in women with PCOS. While the associations between PCOS and cardiometabolic abnormalities have been well established, whether PCOS is associated with subclinical and clinical CVD, independently of these CVD risk factors, is not entirely clear. Lifestyle interventions and weight management may mitigate some of these future CVD risks and should be encouraged. This review summarizes the literature on PCOS and CVD risk factors and provides recommendations that would aid clinicians in the management of these risk factors.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Healthy Lifestyle; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Preventive Health Services; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31519403
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2019.08.010 -
Endocrine Reviews Jul 2020More than 1 out of 10 women worldwide are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of female reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Despite... (Review)
Review
More than 1 out of 10 women worldwide are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of female reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Despite its high prevalence, PCOS and its accompanying morbidities are likely underdiagnosed, averaging > 2 years and 3 physicians before women are diagnosed. Although it has been intensively researched, the underlying cause(s) of PCOS have yet to be defined. In order to understand PCOS pathophysiology, its developmental origins, and how to predict and prevent PCOS onset, there is an urgent need for safe and effective markers and treatments. In this review, we detail which animal models are more suitable for contributing to our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS. We summarize and highlight advantages and limitations of hormonal or genetic manipulation of animal models, as well as of naturally occurring PCOS-like females.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 32310267
DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa010 -
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of... Mar 2021Current diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are based on expert opinion. This article reviews the rationale for and the limitations of these... (Review)
Review
Current diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are based on expert opinion. This article reviews the rationale for and the limitations of these criteria as well as which criteria to use and when. The insights provided into PCOS pathogenesis by modern genetic analyses and the promise of objective data mining approaches for biologically relevant disease classification are discussed.
Topics: Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 33518179
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2020.10.002 -
Annales de Biologie Clinique Dec 2016Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common ovarian disorder associated with androgen excess in women, which justifies the growing interest of endocrinologists.... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common ovarian disorder associated with androgen excess in women, which justifies the growing interest of endocrinologists. This syndrome leads to clinical hyperandrogenism and/or a biological dysovulation and infertility. Its diagnosis is based on consensual diagnostic criteria, but which are likely to change in the near future with the rise of the interest of new markers such as AMH. Diagnostic tools of PCOS are also discussed, with emphasis on the laboratory evaluation of androgens and other potential biomarkers of ovarian and metabolic dysfunctions. The exact etiology of PCOS is unknown and is likely multifactorial. Many studies indicate that PCOS results from originally ovarian abnormalities. In some patients, secondary hyperinsulinemia with insulin resistance plays a role in the pathophysiology. In addition, the relevant impact of metabolic issues, specifically insulin resistance and obesity, on the pathogenesis of PCOS, and the susceptibility to develop earlier than expected glucose intolerance states, including type 2 diabetes, has supported the notion that these aspects should be considered when defining the PCOS phenotype and planning potential therapeutic strategies in an affected subject.
Topics: Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine; Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 27848917
DOI: 10.1684/abc.2016.1184 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects a considerable percentage of females of reproductive age. PCOS is an obesity-related condition and its effects are greatly... (Review)
Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects a considerable percentage of females of reproductive age. PCOS is an obesity-related condition and its effects are greatly amplified by obesity. Even though the pathogenesis of PCOS remains complex and has not been fully elucidated, a link between obesity, PCOS, and dysbiosis has been described. The potential role of the gut microbiota in the development and progression of PCOS and its associated symptoms has also been reported. The aim of this narrative review is to present a non-systematic analysis of the available literature on the topic of probiotics and PCOS in adolescents with obesity in order to revise the beneficial effects of probiotics/symbiotic supplementation on hormonal and metabolic profiles and inflammatory conditions. The effectiveness of probiotics/synbiotics in PCOS has been supported. The literature suggests that probiotic/symbiotic supplementation may ameliorate hormonal profiles, inflammatory indicators, and lipid metabolism disturbances caused by PCOS. Studies also show improvements in weight, BMI, insulin, and HOMA-IR, including a potential role it plays in protecting fertility. Even though further studies are needed to confirm these findings, particularly in adolescent patients, probiotic supplementation may be considered a solution for managing PCOS in adolescents with obesity.
Topics: Female; Adolescent; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Insulin Resistance; Pediatric Obesity; Insulin; Probiotics
PubMed: 37513562
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143144