Global Prevalence of Polycystic ovary syndrome Estimated at 11.5%

Meta-analysis using Rotterdam Criteria Estimates PCOS Prevalence at 11.5%

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive age. PCOS is not one condition but rather an array of different presention. Patients may have clinical or laboratory signs of hyperandrogenism and irregular periods. Further evidence of the condition comes from an ultrasound showing cysts or an elevated AMH level.

Authors from Iran recently performed a meta-analysis of all published studied related to PCOS to better understand the true prevalence. They found a total of 35 studies with 12,365,646 patients. The mean age ranged from 10-45 years. Global prevalence of PCOS was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.8-12.5%) based on meta-analysis. Results showed that the global prevalence of PCOS was 5.5% (95% CI: 3.9-7.7%) based on NIH criteria, 11.5 (95% CI: 6.6-19.4) based on Rotterdam criteria, and 7.1% (95% CI: 2.3-20.2%) based on AES criteria.

COMMENT

PCOS is common! About 1 in 10 women have PCOS. The Rotterdam Criteria, which are the most widely used criteria for diagnosing PCOS, remind us that the confidence interval is large and and the true prevalence may even be up to 19%. Regardless of what the exact prevalence truly is, the main point must not be missed: PCOS is common. It must always be on our list of possibilities when women present with irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, androgenetic alopecia. PCOS must always be at least a passing thought when patients present with other medical issues like high cholesterol, low HDL, obesity, diabetes, acanthosis nigricans, depression and infertility. PCOS is underdiagnosed.

REFERENCE

Salari N et al. Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Jun 26. doi: 10.1007/s00404-024-07607-x. Online ahead of print.