title: Heterogeneity of the polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical, endocrine and ultrasound features in 556 patients.
abstract: This paper reports an analysis of the clinical, endocrine and ultrasound data within a population of 556 patients with ultrasound-diagnosed polycystic ovaries. Compared with those not so affected, hirsutism was associated with a higher mean serum testosterone concentration, infertility was associated with higher mean gonadotrophin concentrations, obesity was associated with a higher mean serum testosterone concentration, hyperprolactinaemia was associated with a lower mean serum testosterone concentration and smaller ovaries, alopecia was associated with lower mean serum LH and testosterone concentrations, and acanthosis nigricans was associated with obesity and a raised mean serum testosterone concentration. The heterogeneity illustrates the limitations in the use of specific clinical or endocrine criteria as requirements for the diagnosis of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Middlsex Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Honour
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000097:blood; D000505:Alopecia / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone