Journal List > J Korean Diabetes > v.16(3) > 1054974

Lee and Sung: Epidemiology and Diagnostic Criteria of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. The prevalence of PCOS varies between 6% and 10% depending on the diagnostic criteria and the ethnicity. Diagnosis of PCOS relies on a combination of clinical, biological and ultrasound criteria that are used worldwide in different variations. Few studies have extensively examined reproductive and metabolic characteristics and hyperandrogenism in Korean women. Despite the paucity of these studies, they are critical for ascertaining PCOS diagnostic criteria for this population. This review addresses the epidemiology and diagnostic criteria of PCOS specifically for Korean women.

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Table 1.
Various diagnostic criteria of polycystic ovary syndrome
National Institute of Children's Health and Disease (1990) European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (2003) Androgen Excess Society (2006)
(both 1 and 2) (2 out of 3) (both 1 and 2)
1. Chronic anovulation 1. Oligomenorrhea or anovulation 1. Hyperandrogenism: hirsutism and/or hyperandrogenemia
2. Clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism 2. Clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism 2. Ovarian dysfunction: oligomenorrhea/ anovulation and/or polycystic ovary
  3. Polycystic ovaries  
Exclusion of other disorders (congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing syndrome)
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