title: Diagnosis, epidemiology, and genetics of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder, and its definition remains fluid and controversial. PCOS is characterized by clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and is frequently accompanied by ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovaries. PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion, with other androgen excess and related disorders to be excluded. The prevalence of PCOS is 6.5-8.0% of unselected women of reproductive age, using the NIH 1990 criteria. Genetically, PCOS is a common, complex disorder. Despite repeated attempts to identify the putative gene or genes responsible for this disorder, the PCOS gene(s) remain elusive.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Medical Genetics Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mark O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Goodarzi
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azziz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence