Objective To compare the diagnostic potential of ultrasonographic markers of ovarian morphology, used alone or in combination, to predict PCOS. Design A diagnostic test study using cross-sectional data collected from 2006 to 2011. Setting Academic hospital and clinical research unit. Participants 82 women with PCOS and 60 healthy female volunteers. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Follicle number per ovary (FNPO), ovarian volume (OV), follicle number per single cross-section (FNPS), follicle distribution pattern, stromal area, ovarian area, stromal to ovarian area ratio (S:A) and stromal index (SI). Results FNPO best predicted PCOS (R2=67%) with 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity, followed by OV (R2=44%), and FNPS (R2=36%). Neither S:AnorSI had predictive power for PCOS. In combination, FNPO+S:A and FNPO+SI most significantly predicted PCOS (R2=74% vs.73%, respectively). The diagnostic potentials of OV and FNPS were substantially improved when used in combination (OV+FNPO,R2=55%). Conclusions As a single metric, FNPO best predicted PCOS. While the addition of S:Aor SI improved the predictive power of FNPO, gains were marginal suggesting limited use in clinical practice. When image quality precludes a reliable estimation of FNPO, measurements of OV+FNPS provide the next closest level of diagnostic potential.

BACKGROUND Women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) suffer from an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile, which is already established by child-bearing age. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this systematic review along with an individual participant data meta-analysis is to evaluate whether cardiometabolic features in the offspring (females and males aged 1–18 years) of women with PCOS (OPCOS) are less favorable compared to the offspring of healthy controls. SEARCH METHODS PubMed, Embase and gray literature databases were searched by three authors independently (M.N.G., M.A.W and J.C.) (last updated on 1 February 2018). Relevant key terms such as ‘offspring’ and ‘PCOS’ were combined. Outcomes were age-specific standardized scores of various cardiometabolic parameters: BMI, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profile and the sum scores of various cardiometabolic features (metabolic sum score). Linear mixed models were used for analyses with standardized beta (β) as outcome. OUTCOMES Nine relevant observational studies could be identified, which jointly included 1367 children: OPCOS and controls, originating from the Netherlands, Chile and the USA. After excluding neonates, duplicate records and follow-up screenings, a total of 885 subjects remained. In adjusted analyses, we observed that OPCOS (n = 298) exhibited increased plasma levels of fasting insulin (β = 0.21(95%CI: 0.01–0.41), P = 0.05), insulin-resistance (β = 0.21(95%CI: 0.01–0.42), P = 0.04), triglycerides (β = 0.19(95%CI: 0.02–0.36), P = 0.03) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations (β = 0.31(95%CI: 0.08–0.54), P < 0.01), but a reduced birthweight (β = −116(95%CI: −195 to 38), P < 0.01) compared to controls (n = 587). After correction for multiple testing, however, differences in insulin and triglycerides lost their statistical significance. Interaction tests for sex revealed differences between males and females when comparing OPCOS versus controls. A higher 2-hour fasting insulin was observed among female OPCOS versus female controls (estimated difference for females (βf) = 0.45(95%CI: 0.07 to 0.83)) compared to the estimated difference between males ((βm) = −0.20(95%CI: −0.58 to 0.19)), with interaction-test: P = 0.03. Low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol differences in OPCOS versus controls were lower among females (βf = −0.39(95%CI: −0.62 to 0.16)), but comparable between male OPCOS and male controls (βm = 0.27(95%CI: −0.03 to 0.57)), with interaction-test: P < 0.01. Total cholesterol differences in OPCOS versus controls were also lower in females compared to the difference in male OPCOS and male controls (βf = −0.31(95%CI: −0.57 to 0.06), βm = 0.28(95%CI: −0.01 to 0.56), interaction-test: P = 0.01). The difference in HDL-cholesterol among female OPCOS versus controls (βf = 0.53(95%CI: 0.18–0.88)) was larger compared to the estimated mean difference among OPCOS males and the male controls (βm = 0.13(95%CI: −0.05−0.31), interaction-test: P < 0.01). Interaction test in metabolic sum score revealed a significant difference between females (OPCOS versus controls) and males (OPCOS versus controls); however, sub analyses performed in both sexes separately did not reveal a difference among females (OPCOS versus controls: βf = −0.14(95%CI: −1.05 to 0.77)) or males (OPCOS versus controls: βm = 0.85(95%CI: −0.10 to 1.79)), with P-value < 0.01. WIDER IMPLICATIONS We observed subtle signs of altered cardiometabolic health in OPCOS. Therefore, the unfavorable cardiovascular profile of women with PCOS at childbearing age may—next to a genetic predisposition—influence the health of their offspring. Sensitivity analyses revealed that these differences were predominantly observed among female offspring aged between 1 and 18 years. Moreover, studies with minimal risk of bias should elucidate the influence of a PCOS diagnosis in mothers on both sexes during fetal development and subsequently during childhood.

Bariatric surgery improves key diagnostic features seen in women with PCOS and ovarian volume, and free testosterone may have utility in predicting likelihood of metabolic benefit from surgery.

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NCT0230904.

Context Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for obstetric and perinatal complications. At present, it is unknown how characteristics of PCOS relate to the likelihood of these complications. Objective To evaluate which preconception features are associated with obstetric and perinatal disease among infertile women with PCOS. Design Data from two prospective cohort studies completed from January 2004 until January 2014 were linked to Dutch Perinatal national registry outcomes. Setting Two Dutch university medical centers. Participants 2768 women diagnosed with PCOS were included. Participants underwent an extensive standardized preconception screening. Exclusion criteria included: age <18 years or >45 years, language barrier, or failure to meet PCOS criteria. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures were obtained from the Dutch Perinatal national registry and included: preeclampsia, preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), low Apgar score, and any adverse outcome. Results 1715 (62% of participants) women with PCOS were identified as undergoing a pregnancy with live birth after screening. In fully adjusted models, prepregnancy free androgen index was associated with subsequent preeclampsia [OR (95% CI), 1.1 (1.0 to 1.1)]. Fasting glucose [1.4 (1.2 to 1.7)] and testosterone [1.5 (1.2 to 1.7)] predicted preterm delivery. Fasting insulin [1.003 (1.001 to 1.005)], and testosterone [1.2 (1.1 to 1.4)] predicted any adverse outcome. SGA was only predicted by features nonspecific to PCOS. Conclusions Primary disease characteristics of PCOS, chiefly hyperandrogenism and impaired glucose tolerance, predict suboptimal obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Increased surveillance during pregnancy should focus on women with PCOS and these features to help mitigate disease risk.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive-aged women. Much of the confusion surrounding PCOS diagnosis stems from the broad heterogeneity of symptomology experienced by women with PCOS. The diverse features of the syndrome have led to a number of diagnostic criteria over the years. This manuscript describes each of the current composite criteria and individually breaks down each component. The importance of accurate diagnosis for both clinical care and research is emphasized.

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