Cutaneous Xanthomas in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A 12-Year Follow-Up
April 2016
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Women with PCOS often have hirsutism and skin changes, which indicate a need for metabolic health checks.
The document reports on a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) PCOS Multidisciplinary Clinic, which examined the cutaneous and systemic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a racially diverse sample of 401 women referred for suspected PCOS over a 6-year period. The study found that women who met the Rotterdam PCOS diagnostic criteria had significantly higher rates of hirsutism, acne, and acanthosis nigricans (AN) compared to those who did not meet the criteria. Hirsutism and AN were associated with elevated free testosterone levels and metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and elevated body mass index (BMI). The study concluded that hirsutism and AN are reliable cutaneous markers of PCOS and should prompt further diagnostic evaluation for metabolic comorbidities. Acne and androgenic alopecia (AGA), however, were not reliable markers of biochemical hyperandrogenism in this population. The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive skin exam in diagnosing PCOS and its associated risks.