Specific dermatologic features of the polycystic ovary syndrome and its association with biochemical markers of the metabolic syndrome and hyperandrogenism.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate biochemical and metabolic abnormalities in relation with cutaneous features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective descriptive analysis.


METHODS
University-based tertiary care.


METHODS
One-hundred and fifteen untreated consecutive women diagnosed as having PCOS.


METHODS
Each woman underwent an evaluation of body habitus, acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenic alopecia and acanthosis nigricans. Associations between cutaneous features and hormonal and metabolic parameters were analyzed by means of multivariate logistic regression models.


METHODS
Prevalence of cutaneous features in PCOS and associations among the features and biochemical and metabolic parameters.


RESULTS
The prevalence of acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia and acanthosis nigricans was 53%, 73.9%, 34.8%, 34.8% and 5.2%, respectively. Acne was not associated with the hormonal, metabolic and anthropometric variables. Hirsutism had positive associations with total testosterone, fasting glucose and total cholesterol, and a negative association with age. Seborrhea was found to be related with free testosterone, fasting glucose and insulin. A negative association was determined among androgenic alopecia and free testosterone, low-density lipoprotein and insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
Acne and androgenic alopecia are not good markers for the hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Hirsutism appears to be strongly related with hyperandrogenism and metabolic abnormalities in PCOS women.
Ozdemir
Suna
S
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Meram Medical Faculty, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. snmstf@yahoo.com
Ozdemir
Mustafa
M
Görkemli
Hüseyin
H
Kiyici
Aysel
A
Bodur
Sait
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol