title: A 20-year follow-up of young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether hormonal, metabolic, and anthropomorphic parameters change over 20 years in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety-three women with PCOS, aged 20-25 years, were diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria, divided into four phenotypes (A-D), and followed at 5-year intervals for 20 years. Androgens, gonadotropins, insulin, glucose, body mass index, waist circumference, and ovarian volume were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At diagnosis, 57% had classic features (phenotype A), 9% had classic features without ovarian findings (phenotype B), 26% had the ovulatory phenotype (C), and 7% were nonhyperandrogenic (D). After 10 years, androgens decreased (P<.05); at 15 years, waist circumference increased (P<.05); at 20 years, ovarian volume decreased (P<.01). Serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone decreased nonsignificantly and fasting insulin and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were unchanged. Eighty-five women (44%) were ovulatory at 20 years, and 18 women (8%) could no longer be diagnosed as having PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 20 years of follow-up in women with PCOS, androgens and ovarian volume decreased and there were more ovulatory cycles suggesting a milder disorder, whereas metabolic abnormalities persisted and waist circumference increased.
  
  
  METHODS
  II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carmina
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone