title: Which is the best test to detect the polycystic ovary?
abstract: Laparoscopy was used to characterize the ovaries of a group of infertile women. Patients with polycystic ovaries (PCO) were compared with those with normal ovaries. A free androgen index (FAI) greater than 4.5 was 100% specific and sensitive for detecting the PCO in a group of women with oligomenorrhoea. Overall, a biochemical 'screen' consisting of a luteinizing hormone (LH) level greater than 10 U/l, testosterone (T) greater 2.6 nmol/l, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) greater than 31 nmol/l or a FAI greater than 4.5 was 89% sensitive and 98% specific for PCO, which is comparable with the reliability of ultrasound for detecting the PCO.
authors.affiliation: Charing Cross Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Eden
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens