title: Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): revisiting the threshold values of follicle count on ultrasound and of the serum AMH level for the definition of polycystic ovaries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) at ultrasound is currently used in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We hypothesized that the previously proposed threshold value of 12 as an excessive number of follicles per ovary (FN) is no longer appropriate because of current technological developments. In this study, we have revisited the thresholds for FN and for the serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level (a possible surrogate for FN) for the definition of PCOM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical, hormonal and ultrasound data were consecutively recorded in 240 patients referred to our department between 2008 and 2010 for exploration of hyperandrogenism (HA), menstrual disorders and/or infertility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to only their symptoms, patients were grouped as: non-PCOS without HA and with ovulatory cycles (group 1, n = 105), presumption of PCOS with only HA or only oligo-anovulation (group 2, n = 73) and PCOS with HA and oligo-anovulation (group 3, n = 62). By cluster analysis using androgens, LH, FSH, AMH, FN and ovarian volume, group 1 appeared to be constituted of two homogeneous clusters, most likely a non-PCOM non-PCOS subgroup (n = 66) and a PCOM, non-PCOS (i.e. asymptomatic) subgroup (n = 39). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to distinguish the non-PCOM non-PCO members of group 1 and to group 3. For FN and serum AMH respectively, the areas under the curve were 0.949 and 0.973 and the best compromise between sensitivity (81 and 92%) and specificity (92 and 97%) was obtained with a threshold values of 19 follicles and 35 pmol/l (5 ng/ml).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the definition of PCOM, the former threshold of >12 for FN is no longer valid. A serum AMH >35 pmol/l (or >5 ng/ml) appears to be more sensitive and specific than a FN >19 and should be therefore included in the current diagnostic classifications for PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gynécologie Endocrinienne et de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU, 59037 Lille, France. didier.dewailly@chru-lille.fr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dewailly
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gronier
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poncelet
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pigny
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duhamel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catteau-Jonard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone