Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among Obese Adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In adolescence and obesity, the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is very difficult to distinguish. We aimed to assess the diagnosis of PCOS in the population of obese adolescent.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Pediatric Endocrinology Weight and Management Clinic from Children's Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-nine post-menarcheal obese adolescents with mean age of 14.7 years.

INTERVENTIONS: Anthropometric assessment and review of medical records were done. Clinical and laboratory hyperandrogenism were quantified using Ferriman-Gallwey index and androgenic dosages, respectively. Ovarian morphology was evaluated through suprapubic ultrasonography.

RESULTS

By the 2015 Witchel et al. guideline for PCOS in adolescence, 18.4% were diagnosed as having PCOS. When assessed by Rotterdam, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, and American National Institute of Health criteria's, 26.4%, 22.4%, and 20.4% had PCOS, respectively. Irregular menstrual cycles were found in 65.3% of patients. Clinical hyperandrogenism was observed in 16.3% of girls and 18.4% had elevated serum androgen values. Suprapubic ultrasonography revealed enlarged ovaries in 18.4% of the adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

PCOS in all-comers obese adolescents from a Weight and Management Clinic in a quaternary hospital is more frequent when compared to adult women showed in the literature.