Urban Rural Comparisons of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Burden Among Adolescent Girls in a Hospital Setting in India

The study conducted at Balaji Hospital in Tamil Nadu, India, with 126 adolescent girls aged 12 to 19 years, aimed to compare the burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) between urban and rural populations. It found that 18% of participants were diagnosed with PCOS, with a higher incidence in urban areas. Urban adolescents had a higher frequency of underweight status, higher waist-hip ratios, more recent weight gain, menstrual disorders, hirsutism, and PCOS diagnosis. In contrast, rural participants engaged in more vigorous physical activity. The study also reported that 63% of participants had polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, 28% experienced oligomenorrhea, and 30% had above-normal testosterone levels. Despite the small sample size and the study's limitation to a hospital setting, the findings suggest a significant concern for PCOS among Indian adolescents, particularly in urban settings, and highlight the need for early detection and management of PCOS.