Association between polycystic ovary and fibrocystic breast disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess whether or not there was an association between a polycystic ovary (PCO) and fibrocystic breast disease based on ultrasound findings, both pelvic and mammographic.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
Women aged between 18 and 30 years not using oral contraceptives attending the outpatient ultrasound clinic from January 1996 to December 1998.


RESULTS
Confirm the association between PCO and fibrocystic breast disease.


RESULTS
According to the ultrasound findings, women were allocated to three groups: 351 out of 456 showed normal-appearing ovaries (group A), 93 had polycystic-appearing ovaries/PCO (group B) and 12 had PCO syndrome (group C). In group A, 24 (6.83%) women showed breast pathology. In group B, there was an association between PCO and breast pathology in 53 (56.98%) women, while in group C it was noted in 11 out of 12 (91%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a significant association between PCO and benign pathology. This should encourage the performance of a screening breast sonography on women with PCO.
1st Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
R
R
D'Amelio
M
M
Farris
S
S
Grande
E
E
Feraudo
A
A
Iuliano
L
L
Zichella
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography