Phenotypic Variation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUNDPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in premenopausal women, but there has been little agreement on its diagnostic criteria due to its uncertain pathogenesis and the heterogeneity of symptoms. This study was performed in order to assess the differences in clinical, metabolic, and hormonal characteristics of women in the PCOS subgroups defined by ESHRE criteria. METHODS: Subjects were divided into four PCOS subgroups based on ESHRE criteria. The grouping groupings included: 1) hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea, and polycystic ovary morphology (HA + OM + PCO); 2) hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea (HA + OM); 3) hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology (HA + PCO); and 4) oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovary morphology (OM + PCO). Reproductive hormones and metabolic profiles were measured. RESULTS: Of the total number of subjects, 60 (40%) fulfilled the criteria for HA + OM + PCO, 50 (33%) for HA + OM, 11 (7%) for HA + PCO, and 30 (20%) for OM + PCO. There were no significant differences in clinical or metabolic features among the groups, except for LH, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: In this population defined by ESHRE criteria, 73% of the patients met the former NIH definition for PCOS. Different phenotypes of PCOS cases were clinically or biochemically similar. Whether these women have an increased risk of infertility or metabolic complications remains to be determine.