Frequency of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among the Students of a Medical College in Dhaka City

Abstract

Quadir F, Barua M, Pathan F, Kuryshi SA, Chakma PJ, Barua B, Kabir M and Islam M

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous endocrine disorder. Only few data are available in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of PCOS among the students of a medical college in Dhaka city.

Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was done among the 3rd to 5th year students of Ibrahim Medical College. We used Rotterdam criteria (Revised 2003) for diagnosis of PCOS. After taking written consent, a detailed history including menstrual history was taken. Anthropometric measurements including height in cm, weight in kg, waist circumference (WC) were measured. We assessed hyperandrogenism (H) clinically by hirsutism using a modified Ferriman-Gallway (mFG) method. The presence of acne and acanthosis nigricans was also noted. For biochemical hyperandrogenism we did total testosterone estimation. Blood samples was collected between 08.00 and 10.00 am on Days 2-7 of a spontaneous bleeding episode or randomly in the case of amenorrhea after an overnight fast. The circulating levels of total testosterone, levels were measured by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (Advia Centaur XPTM). Transabdominal USG (Aloka F37) was done by expert radiologist of department of Radiology, BIRDEM. PCOS group was categorized in 4 different phenotypes based on the presence of oligo-anovulation (O), hyperandrogenism (H) and polycystic ovarian morphology (P) : (i) Phenotype A (O+ H+ P), (ii) Phenotype B (O+H), (iii) Phenotype C (H+P) and (iv) Phenotype D (O+P).

Results: Out of 73 girls 27(37%) satisfied Rotterdam’s criteria for PCOS. Phenotype B was more common 16(59.3%) followed by A 5(18.5%) then C 3(11.1%) and D 3(11.1%). Hirsutism was found in 24 (88.8%) girls, menstrual disturbance was also present among 24 (88.8%) girls, serum testosterone was elevated in 6(22.2%) girls, 11(40.7%) had USG findings of polycystic ovaries. The mean BMI (24.70 + 3.7) was significantly high (BMI > 23 kg/ m2) among those who had PCOS (59.86%). Acne & acanthosis nigricans was observed 15(55.6%) & 6(22.2%) girls among PCOS respectively which were not statistically significant. Hypothyroidism was observed 7(25.9%) girls with PCOS. Associated family history of DM found in 21(77.8%) girls with PCOS. Family history of PCOS was present in 7(25.9%) girls in PCOS group. The difference were statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups.

Conclusion: Prevalence of PCOS is 37%, which demonstrates that PCOS is an emerging disorder. This draws attention to the issue of early diagnosis, which could provide opportunity to target the group to prevent future morbidities.

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