Understanding Variation in Prevalence Estimates of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The study found that including ovarian morphology in diagnostic criteria significantly increased the estimated prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The variation in prevalence estimates was attributed to the broad clinical spectrum of PCOS, lack of standardization in diagnostic criteria, and differences in study populations. Different definitions for anovulation and clinical androgen excess did not significantly affect prevalence estimates. The study highlighted the need for standardized diagnostic criteria to improve diagnostic certainty and reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and associated psychological harm.