title: The diagnosis of polycystic ovaries in women with oligo-amenorrhoea: predictive power of endocrine tests.
abstract: The ability of several endocrine tests to distinguish between women with and without polycystic ovaries (PCO) has been studied prospectively in a series of 65 patients with functional oligo-amenorrhoea using ultrasonography as a reference test. In terms of overall diagnostic accuracy, the free androgen index (FAI) (94%) and the progestogen challenge (89%) gave similar results (Cl = -5 to 15%) but both were significantly better than all the other tests including measurement of serum LH (69%), total testosterone (71%) and androstenedione (74%) (minimum Cl = 6 to 23%). The FAI together with LH measurement was the most accurate of the combinations (97%) but this was not significantly better than the best of the combinations incorporating the progestogen challenge (92%; Cl = -3% to 13%). Given the limited availability of the assay for SHBG, these results show that assessment of oestrogen state is a useful method for categorizing patients with functional oligo-amenorrhoea.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bristol Maternity Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corrigan
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hull
mesh_terms: D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011372:Progestins; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D011372:Progestins; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone