Ethnicity in polycystic ovary syndrome

Climacteric. 2023 Feb;26(1):15-20. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2022.2144211. Epub 2022 Dec 2.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest gynecological endocrinopathy. Little is known about the exact etiopathogenesis and cardiometabolic mortality and morbidity in women with PCOS. PCOS is beyond the cosmetic concerns of an adolescent and fertility concerns of an adult and can cause serious unhealthy consequences in perimenopausal and postmenopausal age. This area needs to be assessed and addressed since the majority of these patients are lost to follow-up after completion of their families. Good evidence suggests that there are significant racial and ethnic differences in prevalence, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hyperandrogenemia and the related cardiometabolic risk in women with PCOS.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; acanthosis nigricans; cardiometabolic risks; ethnicity; hyperandrogenemia; insulin resistance.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperandrogenism*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / complications