title: Phenotypic comparison of Caucasian and Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), particularly androgen excess, differ between Caucasian and Asian women in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multidisciplinary PCOS clinic at a tertiary academic center.
  
  
  METHODS
  121 Caucasian and 28 Asian women, aged 18-44, examined between 2006 and 2011 with PCOS verified by a reproductive endocrinologist and dermatologist according to the Rotterdam criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transvaginal ultrasounds, comprehensive dermatologic exams, and serum testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hirsutism defined as a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score ≥ 8, acne, androgenic alopecia, and biochemical hyperandrogenism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caucasian and Asian women had a similar prevalence of all measures of androgen excess. Both groups had similar total mFG scores and site-specific mFG scores, except Asian women had a lower site-specific mFG score for the chest. Although Asian women were more likely to use laser hair removal, the results were unchanged when the women with a history of laser hair removal were excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caucasian and Asian women with PCOS living in the same geographic region had a similar prevalence of hirsutism as well as other markers for androgen excess. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the need for ethnic-specific mFG scores in women with PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA. erica.wang@cshs.org
authors.forename: Erica T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chia-Ning
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Kanade
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shinkai
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pasch
authors.forename: Marcelle I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Cedars
authors.forename: Heather G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Huddleston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult