Health Care-Related Economic Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome During the Reproductive Life Span

August 2005 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism ”

Ricardo Azziz, C. Marín, Lalima Hoq, Enkhe Badamgarav, Paul Y. Song

polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS type 2 diabetes mellitus menstrual dysfunction abnormal uterine bleeding AUB infertility hirsutism diabetes irregular periods excessive hair growth

Studysummary This study estimates the total cost of evaluating and treating polycystic ovary syndrome in reproductive-aged women in the United States to be $4.36 billion, suggesting more liberal screening could be beneficial. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document from 2005 estimates the economic burden of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in reproductive-aged women in the United States to be over $4 billion annually. The costs are primarily due to the treatment of associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), menstrual dysfunction/abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), infertility, and hirsutism. The study suggests that widespread screening for PCOS could be cost-effective, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention, and reducing the economic burden. The document emphasizes that the costs calculated are conservative estimates and may be higher due to long-term morbidities associated with PCOS that emerge after the reproductive years.

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8 / 8 results

research Androgen Excess in Women: Experience with Over 1000 Consecutive Patients

947 citations , February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

In this study, polycystic ovary syndrome was the most prevalent cause of androgen excess, and suppressive hormonal therapy improved hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and acne in most patients, though side effects were common.

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

4809 citations , January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This review discusses polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing its broad range of manifestations and associations with risks like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events, but reports no new clinical results.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovaries in Women with Androgenic Alopecia

84 citations , November 2003 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This study found that women with androgenic alopecia had a higher prevalence of polycystic ovarian morphology and higher androgen levels compared to controls, suggesting a strong association with PCO.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: A Premature Association?

418 citations , June 2003 in “Endocrine Reviews”

This review discusses the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risk, noting a possible adverse impact on risk profiles and subclinical atherosclerosis but no clear increase in premenopausal cardiovascular events; it presents no new clinical results.

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain

491 citations , July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome was 6.5% in a minimally biased sample of Caucasian women from Spain.

research Screening for 21-Hydroxylase-Deficient Nonclassic Adrenal Hyperplasia Among Hyperandrogenic Women: A Prospective Study

216 citations , November 1999 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that a basal 17-hydroxyprogesterone level is effective for screening nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia in women, with a 4 ng/mL cutoff providing high specificity and positive predictive value.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Black and White Women of the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Study

633 citations , September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study observed that among a cohort of reproductive-aged women in the U.S., the prevalence of PCOS was about 4.0%, with no significant racial differences between White and Black women.

A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

135 citations , August 1994 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

In this study of women with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia, diverse underlying endocrine disorders including polycystic ovaries and various enzyme deficiencies were detected, often associated with elevated testosterone levels.