title: Cross-sectional analysis of the effects of age on the hormonal, metabolic, and ultrasonographic features and the prevalence of the different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of age on the hormonal, metabolic, and ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University department of obstetrics and gynecology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with PCOS (n = 1,212) and healthy women (n = 254).
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in the hormonal, metabolic, and ultrasonographic features of PCOS between age groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A progressive decline in circulating androgens was observed with advancing age. Patients 21-30 years old had lower plasma glucose and insulin levels, lower area under the oral glucose tolerance test curve and lower homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, and higher glucose/insulin and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index than patients 31-39 years old. The prevalence of PCOS phenotypes changed with age. More specifically, the distribution of the phenotypes did not differ substantially between patients ≤ 20 years old and patients 21-30 years old. However, a decline in the prevalence of phenotype 1 (characterized by anovulation, hyperandrogenemia, and polycystic ovaries) and an increase in the prevalence of phenotype 4 (characterized by anovulation and polycystic ovaries without hyperandrogenemia) were observed in patients 31-39 years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with PCOS, hyperandrogenemia appears to diminish during reproductive life whereas insulin resistance worsens.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panidis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tziomalos
authors.forename: Djuro
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macut
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delkos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Betsas
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Misichronis
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Katsikis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D000858:Anovulation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin