Dermatology Consultations Significantly Contribute to Efficient Care of Hospitalized Patients: A Prospective Study of Dermatology Inpatient Consults at a Tertiary Care Center

In a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) PCOS Multidisciplinary Clinic, 401 women referred for suspected polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were evaluated to identify cutaneous and systemic features that help distinguish between those who do and do not meet diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Of these women, 69% (276) met the Rotterdam PCOS diagnostic criteria, while 12% (48) did not, 11% (46) had insufficient data for diagnosis, 2% (7) were excluded, and 6% (24) refused to participate. The study found that women who met the PCOS criteria had significantly higher rates of hirsutism, acne, and acanthosis nigricans (AN) compared to those who did not meet the criteria. The presence of hirsutism or AN was associated with higher rates of elevated free testosterone and metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and elevated body mass index (BMI). Acne and androgenic alopecia (AGA) were not reliable markers of biochemical hyperandrogenism in this population. The study concluded that hirsutism and AN are reliable cutaneous markers of PCOS and that their presence should prompt further diagnostic evaluation for metabolic comorbidities.