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Horm Metab Res 2012; 44(09): 694-698
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1304608
Humans, Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Age Associated Differences in Prevalence of Individual Rotterdam Criteria and Metabolic Risk Factors During Reproductive Age in 446 Caucasian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

D. Glintborg
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
,
H. Mumm
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
,
P. Ravn
2   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
,
M. Andersen
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 16 October 2011

accepted 26 January 2012

Publication Date:
01 March 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Clinical manifestations and metabolic risk factors may differ according to age in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, a retrospective trans-sectional study in academic tertiary-care medical center was designed. A cohort of 446 premenopausal, Caucasian women (age range 15–49 years) with PCOS were divided into 4 subgroups according to age: group 1 (15–19 years, n=42), group 2 (20–29 years, n=180), group 3 (30–39 years, n=187), group 4 (40–49 years, n=37) and underwent clinical evaluation (Ferriman-Gallwey score, BMI, waist, blood pressure), hormone analyses (sex hormones, fasting lipids, insulin, glucose), transvaginal ultrasound, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) (n=234), and ACTH tests (n=201). BMI, waist, Ferriman-Gallwey score, blood pressure, and lipid profile were higher in older vs. younger age groups whereas androgen levels were lower. Measures of insulin resistance were unchanged between age groups, but glucose levels were significantly higher in older age groups. Rotterdam criteria: The prevalence of PCO and biochemical hyperandrogenism decreased in the oldest age group whereas clinical hyperandrogenism increased. Young patients are characterized by PCO and biochemical hyperandrogenism, whereas older patients are more obese with more severe hirsutism and more cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

Key words

age - oral glucose tolerance test - insulin resistance - diabetes - ACTH test
 

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