TLDR FAI is a reliable marker for identifying and monitoring hyperandrogenism in obese adolescent females with PCOS.
The study evaluated the diagnostic value of the Free Androgen Index (FAI) in obese adolescent females aged 12-21 years with idiopathic hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It concluded that FAI is a reliable marker for identifying and monitoring hyperandrogenism in adolescents, with a cut-off value of 3.45 indicating healthy participants and a value above 6.15 suggesting a diagnosis of PCOS. The study also found a positive correlation between FAI and both BMI and insulin resistance in the obesity group. However, the study was limited by a small number of participants. Additionally, it noted that while Anti-Müllerian Hormone and Inhibin-A might serve as diagnostic surrogates for PCOS, Inhibin-B and Insulin-Like Peptide-3 were not effective.
71 citations
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July 2015 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS have higher androgen levels that decrease with age but are still higher than in women without PCOS.
17 citations
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February 2014 in “Pediatric Research” 
1514 citations
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December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
947 citations
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February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women with excess male hormones have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and hormonal therapy can improve symptoms but may cause side effects.
491 citations
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July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Polycystic ovary syndrome is found in 6.5% of unselected Caucasian women in Spain.
298 citations
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July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” About 6.5% of young Caucasian women in Spain have polycystic ovary syndrome.
378 citations
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September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” PCOS affects about 4% of women in the southeastern U.S. equally across Black and White populations.
5 citations
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April 2021 in “Journal of Academic Research in Medicine” FAI is a reliable marker for identifying and monitoring hyperandrogenism in obese adolescent females with PCOS.
10 citations
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January 2011 in “Skin therapy letter” Women with PCOS often have acne because of high androgen levels, and the article reviewed how to treat this type of acne.
