title: Influence of sociocultural factors on the ovulatory status of polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of social and cultural differences inside the same ethnic group on the ovulatory status of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  To correlate social and cultural status with the phenotypic expression (body weight and ovulation) and with androgen and insulin levels of PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  University department of medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and forty-four consecutive PCOS women.
  
  
  METHODS
  All studied patients completed a simple questionnaire to indicate their mean family income and their school education.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovulation was assessed by measurement of serum progesterone on day 22 of a spontaneous or induced menstrual cycle. Levels of blood testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, insulin, and blood glucose were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the low to medium income group, 21% of patients had ovulatory PCOS, but the prevalence of the same PCOS phenotype was 43% in patients with high income. In patients with low education, only 12% presented with ovulatory PCOS compared with 47% of the patients with high education status. Mean family income negatively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, insulin, and insulin resistance. Serum progesterone correlated negatively with insulin and insulin resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an ethnically homogeneous PCOS population, high socioeconomic status was associated with a higher prevalence of the ovulatory phenotype. Differences in ovulatory status between the social classes seem to be related to differences in insulin levels and fat quantity and distribution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Fede
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mansueto
authors.forename: Rosa Alba
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: GiovamBattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rini
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carmina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D010060:Ovulation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone