title: Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome and its associated complications in Iranian women: A meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and is the most common cause of infertility due to anovulation. There is no single criterion for the diagnosis of this syndrome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PCOS and its associated complications in Iranian women using meta-analysis method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of PCOS was investigated from the SID, Goggle scholar, PubMed, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex, and weighting of each study was calculated according to sample size and prevalence of the binomial distribution. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model meta-analysis (Random effects model) and the software R and Stata Version 11.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30 studies conducted between the years 2006 to 2011 were entered into meta-analysis. The total sample size was 19, 226 women aged between 10-45 years. The prevalence of PCOS based on National institute of child health and human disease of the U.S was, 6.8% (95 % CI: 4.11-8.5), based on Rotterdam was 19.5% (95 % CI: 2.24-8.14), and based on ultrasound was 4.41% (95% CI: 5.68-4.14). Also, the prevalence of hirsutism was estimated to be 13%, acne 26%, androgenic alopecia 9%, menstrual disorders 28%, overweight 21%, obesity 19%, and infertility 8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of PCOS in Iran is not high. However, given the risk of complications such as heart disease - cardiovascular and infertility, prevention of PCOS is important; we suggest that health officials must submit plans for the community in this respect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Anahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalilian
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiani
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sayehmiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sayehmiri
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khodaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
authors.forename: Malihe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akbari
keywords: Acne; Hirsutism; Obesity; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Prevalence