Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The 2003 Rotterdam consensus workshop revised the diagnostic criteria for PCOS, requiring two out of three criteria: ovarian dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovary morphology. The syndrome is associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events and is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. The consensus noted that insulin resistance affects up to 50% of women with PCOS and that obese women with the syndrome should be screened for metabolic syndrome. It also emphasized the need for high-quality ultrasound equipment and trained personnel for diagnosis. Women with PCOS are at a potentially 3-7 times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to the general population and may also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer. The document called for more research and recommended lifestyle changes to mitigate risks, while the clinical relevance of elevated LH levels in PCOS requires further study.