Hyperandrogenism in Women: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

January 2012 in “ Hanyang Medical Reviews ”

Yeon Ah Sung

hyperandrogenism polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS hirsutism acne androgenetic alopecia androgenic alopecia pathogenesis biochemical features diagnostic criteria reproductive complications metabolic complications SNP rs4745427

Studysummary This review discusses the pathogenesis of hirsutism and related diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome in Korean women, but reports no new clinical results.

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The document from 2012 reviewed hyperandrogenism in women, with a focus on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 4 to 8% of premenopausal women and is characterized by symptoms like hirsutism, acne, and androgenetic alopecia. It discussed the pathogenesis of hirsutism, clinical and biochemical features for therapeutic decisions, and diagnostic criteria for PCOS, emphasizing the need for criteria tailored to Korean women due to reproductive and metabolic complications associated with the syndrome. The review included an analysis of 2,950 premenopausal Korean women, finding the prevalence of PCOS consistent with other populations. It concluded that further research is necessary to establish appropriate diagnostic criteria and understand the clinical features and progression of PCOS in Korean women. Additionally, it referenced a genetic study identifying a novel SNP, rs4745427, associated with PCOS in the Korean population, indicating the potential for personalized medicine based on genetics.

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research A Simple Screening Approach for Assessing Community Prevalence and Phenotype of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Semiurban Population in Sri Lanka

120 citations , June 2008 in “American Journal of Epidemiology”

This study reported a 6.3% prevalence of PCOS among women in a Sri Lankan community, with most cases presenting as oligo/amenorrhea and polycystic ovaries.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

502 citations , February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This review discusses hirsutism management guidelines, recommending androgen testing only for women with abnormal hirsutism scores and advocating for combined therapy approaches depending on severity and underlying conditions, but it reports no new clinical results.

Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

research Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

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This review discusses definitions of polycystic ovary syndrome and reports no new clinical results; the authors support using modified 1990 NIH criteria and acknowledge ongoing evolution as research advances.

research Relative Prevalence of Different Androgen Excess Disorders in 950 Women Referred Because of Clinical Hyperandrogenism

352 citations , January 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study reported that classic anovulatory PCOS was the most common androgen excess disorder, followed by mild ovulatory PCOS and idiopathic hyperandrogenism, among patients evaluated for clinical hyperandrogenism.

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 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: A Premature Association?

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

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This study found a 6.5% prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among a population of Caucasian women in Spain, based on specific endocrine criteria.