The prevalence and phenotypic features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
September 2016
in “Human Reproduction”
TLDR Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 6-10% of women, with varying symptoms and the need for standardized global definitions.
The systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the prevalence and characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using different diagnostic criteria. The study included 24 articles and found that the prevalence of PCOS was 6% according to NIH criteria (18 trials), 10% according to Rotterdam criteria (15 trials), and 10% according to AE-PCOS Society criteria (10 trials). The prevalence of hirsutism was 13%, hyperandrogenemia 11%, polycystic ovaries 28%, and oligo-anovulation 15%. The study highlighted the impact of ethnic differences on PCOS features and the need for standardized definitions and methods for studying PCOS globally. It also pointed out the potential influence of obesity on prevalence rates and the importance of screening unselected populations to avoid referral bias. However, the study had limitations, including significant heterogeneity in prevalence across regions and the exclusion of non-English articles, which may have affected the results.
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