Polycystic ovary syndrome in Iranian adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked with metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and endocrine function in patients with PCOS. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adolescent PCOS and characteristics associated with PCOS in adolescents in Babol, Iran.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1549 girl high school students aged 16-20 years who were living in Iran. After overnight fasting, blood samples were collected to determine hormones and lipid levels in PCOS patients between the first and fifth days of their menstrual period or withdrawal bleeding.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of adolescent PCOS was 129 (8.3%) (95% CI; 4.0, 12.0). Irregular menstruation was observed in 24.1% of adolescents. A total of 68% of PCOS adolescents had insulin resistance. Compared with non-PCOS adolescents, the OR of adolescent PCOS for family history of hirsutism was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.06-2.20; p=0.024), family history of irregular menstrual cycle was 2.27 (95% CI, 1.56-3.30; p<0.001), menarche age <13 years was 1.95 (95% CI, 1.36-2.81; p<0.001), hirsutism was 1.14 (CI 95%, 1.10-1.17; p<0.001), acne was 5.10 (CI 95%, 3.52-7.40; p<0.001), and wrist circumference was 1.28 (CI 95%, 1.07-1.54; p=0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
The presenting findings showed the high prevalence of PCOS among Iranian adolescents. Emphasis should be placed on clinical screening in adolescents with high-risk factors, including irregular menstrual, menarche <13 years, hirsutism, acne, high wrist circumference, and paternal obesity to help reduce the risk of developing metabolic disturbance and to find ways to improve long-term health.
Seddigheh
S
Esmaeilzadeh
Mouloud Agajani
MA
Delavar
Mania
M
Amiri
Soraya
S
Khafri
Nargess Gholizadeh
NG
Pasha
D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008572:Menarche; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008055:Lipids