Prevalence and hormonal profile of polycystic ovary syndrome in young Kashmiri women presenting with hirsutism: A hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Hirsutism, a common clinical condition, not onlycauses cosmetic concern but may also be a sign of underlyingdisease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an importantand common cause of hirsutism. In fact, many women withPCOS present as hirsutism. This study assessed young Kashmiriwomen presenting as hirsutism, for ultrasonographic evidence ofpolycystic ovaries (PCO), in addition to recording their clinical andhormonal profile. The purpose of this study was to determine theprevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome using ultrasonography,in young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism.Method: In total, one hundred and seventy (170) consecutive youngKashmiri women presenting with chief complaint of hirsutismwere assessed. A total of eighty (80) age matched non- hirsutefemales having normal menstrual cycles, served as controls. Theovaries were visualised by transabdominal ultrasonography (USG).The serum was analysed for luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (tT), prolactin(PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).Result: The study showed prevalence of 61.18% PCOS in youngKashmiri women presenting as hirsutism. PCOS was diagnosed in35.11% hirsute women with regular menses and ultrasonographywas used to identify PCO in 90.35% patients. Biochemicalhyperandrogenemia was present in 70.15% of the patients andthe LH/FSH ratio increased in 81.73% of the patients.Conclusion: The results of this study show a high prevalence ofPCOS in young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism andalso highlights the fact that PCOS is not necessarily associatedwith menstrual disturbances. Therefore, all hirsute women, evenwith regular menses, should be evaluated for PCOS.