THE PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HYPERANDROGENISM IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Rabab Hazim Elias

doi:10.46903/gjms/22.03.1719

THE PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HYPERANDROGENISM IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Rabab Hazim Elias

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. The present study aimed to determine the effects of body mass index and age on serum testosterone levels in women with PCOS.

Materials & Methods: This comparative observational study was conducted at Alshaheed Fayroz Hospital, Wasit, Iraq, between February 2022 and April 2022. In total, 30 infertile women diagnosed with PCOS and a control group consisting of 10 healthy fertile women were selected using convenience sampling. Blood samples were collected to measure testosterone levels using enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA). BMI was calculated and the effects of BMI and age on testosterone levels were analyzed.

Results: Women with PCOS exhibited significantly higher testosterone levels (39.52 ±1.89 ng/dl) compared to controls (16.51 ±1.18 ng/dl). Elevated testosterone levels were observed in obese and overweight PCOS patients (42.49 ±4.14 and 40.87 ±1.76 ng/dl, respectively) compared to normal and underweight controls. Additionally, PCOS patients aged over 30 years showed higher testosterone levels (43.74 ±2.41 ng/dl) than those under 30 years (36.72 ±2.54 ng/dl).

Conclusion: This study underscores the significant role of BMI and age in influencing testosterone levels in women with PCOS, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing weight management and hormonal regulation.

Keywords

Polycystic ovary syndrome; Hyperandrogenism; Body Mass Index.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Deswal R, Narwal V, Dang A, Pundir CS. The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brief Systematic Review. Journal of human reproductive sciences. 2020;13(4): 261-71. https://doi.org/10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_95_18

Singh S, Pal N, Shubham S, Sarma DK, Verma V, Marotta F, et al. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Etiology, Current Management, and Future Therapeutics. Journal of clinical medicine. 2023;12(4): 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041454

Profili NI, Castelli R, Gidaro A, Manetti R, Maioli M, Petrillo M, et al. Possible Effect of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): An Update. Journal of clinical medicine. 2024;13(3): 698. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13030698

Witchel SF, Oberfield SE, Peña AS. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Presentation, and Treatment With Emphasis on Adolescent Girls. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2019;3(8): 1545-73. https://doi.org/10.1210/js.2019-00078

Yi W, Zhang M, Yuan X, Shi L, Yuan X, Sun M, et al. A Model Combining Testosterone, Androstenedione and Free Testosterone Index Improved the Diagnostic Efficiency of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Endocrine Practice. 2023;29(8): 629-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eprac.2023.05.007

Rani R, Hajam YA, Kumar R, Bhat RA, Rai S, Rather MA. A landscape analysis of the potential role of polyphenols for the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1): 100161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100161

Aljefri YE, Alahmadi RA, Alajmi RS, Alkhamisi TA, Maaddawi HA, Alraddadi AA, et al. Cutaneous Manifestations and Hormonal Changes Among Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients at a Tertiary Care Center. Cureus. 2021;13(12): e20593. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.20593

Goh JE, Farrukh MJ, Keshavarzi F, Yap CS, Saleem Z, Salman M, et al. Assessment of prevalence, knowledge of polycystic ovary syndrome and health-related practices among women in klang valley: A cross-sectional survey. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022;13: 985588. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.985588

Wang X, Wang L, Xiang W. Mechanisms of ovarian aging in women: a review. Journal of Ovarian Research. 2023;16(1): 67. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-023-01151-z

Livadas S, Anagnostis P, Bosdou JK, Bantouna D, Paparodis R. Polycystic ovary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A state-of-the-art review. World journal of diabetes. 2022;13(1): 5-26. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v13.i1.5

Liang X, He H, Zeng H, Wei L, Yang J, Wen Y, et al. The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and coronary heart disease: a bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2023;14: 1172750. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1172750

Allahbadia GN, Merchant R. Polycystic ovary syndrome and impact on health. Middle East Fertility Society Journal. 2011;16(1): 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2010.10.002

Di Lorenzo M, Cacciapuoti N, Lonardo MS, Nasti G, Gautiero C, Belfiore A, et al. Pathophysiology and Nutritional Approaches in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Comprehensive Review. Current Nutrition Reports. 2023;12(3): 527-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-023-00479-8

Al-Deresawi MS, Al-Rekaabi AR, Edee AARKA. Evaluation of hormonal profile and insulin growth factor-1 gene expression before and after metformin treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Drug Invent Today. 2019;12(11): 1.

Kostroun KE, Goldrick K, Mondshine JN, Robinson RD, Mankus E, Reddy S, et al. Impact of updated international diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. F&S Reports. 2023;4(2): 173-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfre.2022.12.003

Weir CB, Jan A. BMI Classification Percentile And Cut Off Points. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL) ineligible companies. Disclosure: Arif Jan declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.2024.

Carmina E, Rosato F, Jannì A, Rizzo M, Longo RA. Extensive clinical experience: relative prevalence of different androgen excess disorders in 950 women referred because of clinical hyperandrogenism. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2006;91(1): 2-6. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1457

Pateguana NB, Janes A. The contribution of hyperinsulinemia to the hyperandrogenism of polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Insulin Resistance. 2019;4(1): 1-3. https://doi.org/10.4102/jir.v4i1.50

Pratama G, Wiweko B, Asmarinah, Widyahening IS, Andraini T, Bayuaji H, et al. Mechanism of elevated LH/FSH ratio in lean PCOS revisited: a path analysis. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1): 8229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58064-0

Benson S, Janssen OE, Hahn S, Tan S, Dietz T, Mann K, et al. Obesity, depression, and chronic low-grade inflammation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2008;22(2): 177-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2007.07.003

Wang JX, Davies MJ, Norman RJ. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and the risk of spontaneous abortion following assisted reproductive technology treatment. Human reproduction (Oxford, England). 2001;16(12): 2606-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/16.12.2606

Purwar A, Nagpure S. Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Cureus. 2022;14(10): e30351. https://doi.org/10.7759%2Fcureus.30351.

Liang SJ, Hsu CS, Tzeng CR, Chen CH, Hsu MI. Clinical and biochemical presentation of polycystic ovary syndrome in women between the ages of 20 and 40. Human reproduction (Oxford, England). 2011;26(12): 3443-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/der302

Pinola P, Piltonen TT, Puurunen J, Vanky E, Sundström-Poromaa I, Stener-Victorin E, et al. Androgen Profile Through Life in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Nordic Multicenter Collaboration Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(9): 3400-7. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2123

Cao YK, Zhang SF, Zou SE, Xia X, Xu LN. Study on relationship between endogenous androgens and insulin resistance at the different stages of postmenopause. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2013 Oct;48(10):740-4. Chinese. PMID: 24406129.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46903/gjms/22.03.1719