Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Comparison of Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Adolescent Girls with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Different Clinical Settings

Kansra AR and Marquart K

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes in adolescent girls presenting to different clinical subspecialties and assess the metabolic syndrome (MS) among these phenotypes.
Design: Retrospective chart review of Adolescent girls with PCOS seen in Pediatric Endocrine (PEndo), Pediatric Adolescent Medicine (PAMed) clinics.
Main outcome measure: Compare the clinical and laboratory hallmarks for PCOS and evaluate for MS among adolescent populations presenting in sub-specialty clinics.
Results: One hundred and sixty two charts from PEndo, PAMed clinics on post-menarchal girls with PCOS diagnosis were reviewed. Adolescent girls presented in PEndo clinic have distinct PCOS phenotype that showed statistically significant free testosterone (FT) (p=0.0257) with possibly more hirsutism. In addition 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17 OHP) levels were higher (p=0.0257) in patients from PEndo clinic as compared to other clinic. To quantify the risk of MS, we regrouped patients having body mass index (BMI)>90 percentile from both the clinics and divided them in hyper-androgenemia (HA) if FT ≥ 4.0 pg/mL and non-HA phenotype. 35.9% (28/78) met the criteria for MS in HA phenotype. When compared, HA phenotype had higher rate of MS as compared to non- HA (35.9% Vs 0.1%).
Conclusion: Adolescent girls with PCOS presenting in the sub-specialty clinics are likely to have different phenotypes. HA phenotype had increased rate of MS syndrome. Understanding the heterogeneous nature of this disorder will address specific health needs of an individual patient and help us tailor appropriate medical therapy.