Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Role of Androgen Excess Self-Assessment in Diagnosis

The study on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) conducted at Boston University School of Medicine involved 249 women aged 18-45 and highlighted ethnic variations in the clinical signs of androgen excess, such as hirsutism, acne, and alopecia. The results showed that 22.5% of participants had clinical hirsutism, with the highest mean scores in South Asian and Hispanic women. Moderate-severe acne was reported by 23.6% of respondents, with the highest prevalence in South Asian women. Alopecia was reported by 9.4% of participants, most commonly among Black and East Asian women. Women with a PCOS diagnosis were more likely to exhibit these signs compared to those without a diagnosis. Additionally, 33% of women who consented to medical record validation had elevated testosterone levels. The study concluded that there was an ethnic-dependent pattern in the development of androgen excess symptoms, and these symptoms were more prevalent in women diagnosed with PCOS.