title: Ultrasonographic assessment of skin thickness in patients with PCOS - a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure skin thickness in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to controls and to examine a possible association with sex steroids, body mass index, lipid profile and hyperinsulinemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with confirmed PCOS were compared to thirty-two women presenting for infertility workup. Skin thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound in a standardized area, blood samples were collected once at presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with PCOS showed a statistically significant thicker skin than women in the control group (0.95 mm (±0.093 mm) versus 0.85 mm (±0.077 mm, p < 0.0001)). LH, estradiol, testosterone, the free androgen index, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and body mass index were significantly increased in PCOS - patients. No correlation between hyperinsulinemia and skin thickness was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCOS - patients showed a greater skin thickness in comparison to women without PCOS. This might be due to proliferative effects of sex steroids such as estrogens and testosterone and metabolic derangements on skin thickness.
authors: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Böttcher
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Stahlhofer
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Mattle
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Seeber
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Brezinka
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wildt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol