Abstract :
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy typified by oligoovulation or anovulation, signs of androgen excess, and multiple small ovarian cysts. The prevalence and incidence of PCOS is on the rise with rapid modernisation and changes in lifestyle. The correlation of cutaneous findings and sonographic changes in ovaries in PCOS has not been studied extensively in Indian population. The present study was conducted to evaluate this correlation.
Objectives: To study and correlate the cutaneous features and ultrasonographic findings of ovaries in PCOS.
Settings and Design: This was hospital based cross sectional, observational study.
Materials and Methods: All the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Both ovaries were examined
sonographically for ovarian diameter, ovarian volume, follicular number and arrangement of follicles.
Clinical and radiological findings were analysed statistically for correlation.
Results: An appraisal of 50 subjects showed that 40 (80%) patients experienced menstrual disorders. Cutaneous manifestations observed included acne, acanthosis nigricans, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, seborrhoea, acro chordons of which acne and hirsutism were most commonly observed. Majority of study subjects, 24(48%) were found to have ovaries with follicular number of 15-16. All the cutaneous manifestations were noted to be significantly increased in 24 patients having a follicular number 15-16.
56% of cases had elevated free testosterone levels. Free testosterone levels correlated significantly with number of follicles (p=0.037).
Conclusion: The cutaneous features of acne and hirsutism were most commonly observed in the study. Majority, 44% cases had consistent features of polycystic ovaries (PCO) on USG, 6 had normal study with no correlation between number of follicles in the ovaries and the cutaneous features.
Keyword :
Acne vulgaris, Acanthosis nigricans, Androgenetic alopecia, Polycystic ovarian syndrome.