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Comparison of clinical and hormonal characteristics among four phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome based on the Rotterdam criteria

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disturbances in women and is divided into different phenotypes. The aim of study is to compare the clinical and hormonal parameters among the four phenotypes of PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria and with control group.

Methods

Women with PCOS (n = 263) confirmed based on the Rotterdam criteria and 263 women with no evidence of PCOS were recruited as controls using observational case–control study. Evaluation of clinical and hormonal parameters, and differences in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were compared between four phenotypes of PCOS and controls.

Results

Women with phenotype A (olig-anovulation (O) + hyperandrogenism (H) + polycystic ovary morphology (P)) had significantly larger waist than phenotype D (O + P) and higher body mass index than phenotype C (H + P). The LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in phenotype A than phenotype D and controls along with significantly higher serum total testosterone levels in phenotype A compared to the phenotype B (O + H), C, D, and controls. AMH was significantly higher with phenotype A, C, and D than in women phenotype B and controls.

Conclusions

The highest AMH levels were found in phenotype A. Phenotype B similar to controls had significantly low AMH compared to other three PCOS phenotypes. Women in the phenotypes D and controls showed significantly lower levels of LH/FSH ratio, total testosterone, and free androgen index, and higher levels of FSH and SHBG compared with phenotype A (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, AMH and LH were predictors for PCOS.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the doctors, nursing, and laboratory staff working at Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil/Iraq during the study period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Khanzad Street, PO Box 383-65, Erbil, Iraq

    Avin S. Jamil & Shahla K. Alalaf

  2. Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

    Namir G. Al-Tawil

  3. Women’s Health Research Unit, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London Medical College, Queen Mary University, London, UK

    Talha Al-Shawaf

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  1. Avin S. Jamil
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  2. Shahla K. Alalaf
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Correspondence to Avin S. Jamil.

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Jamil, A.S., Alalaf, S.K., Al-Tawil, N.G. et al. Comparison of clinical and hormonal characteristics among four phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome based on the Rotterdam criteria. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 447–456 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3889-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3889-5

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