Correlation of Skin Changes with Hormonal Changes in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study Clinical Study.
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous collection of signs and symptoms that when gathered, form a spectrum of disorder with disturbance of reproductive, endocrine and metabolic functions.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to correlate the skin manifestations with hormonal changes and to know the incidence and prevalence of skin manifestations in patients with PCOS.


METHODS
A total of 40 patients with PCOS were examined during 1 year time period from May 2008 P to May 2009. Detailed clinical history was taken from each patient. PCOS was diagnosed on the basis of ultrasonography. Hormonal assays included fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, dehydroepiandrostenedione, prolactin, free testosterone, fasting lipid profile and sex hormone binding globulin. The results obtained were statistically correlated.


RESULTS
In our study, the prevalence of cutaneous manifestations was 90%. Of all the cutaneous manifestations acne was seen in highest percentage (67.5%), followed by hirsutism (62.5%), seborrhea (52.5%), androgenetic alopecia (AGA) (30%), acanthosis nigricans (22.5%) and acrochordons (10%). Fasting insulin levels was the most common hormonal abnormality seen in both acne and hirsutism, whereas AGA was associated with high testosterone levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in PCOS was 90%. Hirsutism, acne, seborrhea, acanthosis nigricans and acrochordons were associated with increased levels of fasting insulin, whereas AGA showed higher levels of serum testosterone.
Department of Dermatology, Care Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
B Vijaya
BV
Gowri
Department of Dermatology, Care Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
P L
PL
Chandravathi
Department of Dermatology, Care Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
P S
PS
Sindhu
Department of Lab Medicine, Care Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K Shanthi
KS
Naidu
Cutaneous manifestations; hormonal changes; polycystic ovarian syndrome