Clinico-Biochemical Characteristics of 229 Portuguese Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Clinical Relevance and Relationship with Fertility Treatment Results

The study reviewed 229 Portuguese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to assess their clinical characteristics and the impact on fertility treatment outcomes. It was found that 78.2% had a waist circumference > 80 cm, and 31.4% had a familial history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and glucose abnormalities. Hypertriglyceridemia and low cholesterol-HDL were present in 10.1% and 45.0% of the women, respectively. Pregnancy was achieved in 164 women, with an average of 2.7 cycles needed. Factors such as primary infertility, T2DM familial history, hypertriglyceridemia, and low cholesterol-HDL were linked to a higher number of treatment cycles, while waist circumference > 80 cm, older age, and increased LH levels were associated with higher miscarriage rates. The study concluded that these factors might lead to poorer fertility treatment outcomes.