PCOS remains a diagnosis of exclusion: a concise review of key endocrinopathies to exclude.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous disorder associated with clinical, endocrine and ultrasonographic features that can also be encountered in a number of other diseases. It has traditionally been suggested that prolactin excess, enzymatic steroidogenic abnormalities and thyroid disorders need to be excluded before a diagnosis of PCOS is made. However, there is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of PCOS phenotype in some of these disorders, whereas other endocrine diseases that exhibit PCOS-like features may elude diagnosis and proper management if not considered. This article reviews the data of currently included entities that exhibit a PCOS phenotype and those that potentially need to be looked for, and attempts to identify specific features that distinguish them from idiopathic PCOS.
Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.
Eleni Magdalini
EM
Kyritsi
Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Division of Translational and Experimental Medicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Division of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom.
George K
GK
Dimitriadis
Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Division of Translational and Experimental Medicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Aston Medical Research Institute, Aston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Ioannis
I
Kyrou
Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Division of Pathophysiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Gregory
G
Kaltsas
Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Division of Translational and Experimental Medicine, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.|Aston Medical Research Institute, Aston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Harpal S
HS
Randeva
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*