Characteristics of 250 Reproductive-Aged Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Thai Women at Siriraj Hospital
Thanyarat Wongwananuruk MD*, Suchada Indhavivadhana MD*, Manee Rattanachaiyanont MD*, Kitirat Techatraisak MD*, Pichai Leerasiri MD*, Prasong Tanmahasamut MD*, Surasak Angsuwathana MD*, Chongdee Dangrat MSc*
Affiliation : * Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the clinical characteristics of reproductive-aged polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Thai women.
Study design: Cross sectional study.
Settings: Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.
Results : 250 PCOS Thai women who registered at the Siriraj PCOS project from May 2007 to January 2009. PCOS were
diagnosed using Revised Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Women who were taking medications affecting sex hormones or lipid
metabolism within 3 months before registration were excluded from the present study.
Material and Method: Patients were interviewed and examined for weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure,
presence of acanthosis nigricans, and signs of hyperandrogenism. Ovarian ultrasonography was examined using vaginal
probe inserting into the vagina or rectum. Venous blood sample of each patient was drawn during 8.00-10.00 o’clock after
12-hour fasting.
Main outcome measures: Clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles in PCOS Thai women.
Results : Of all participants, 62% were 20-29.9 years old, 30% had high blood pressure, 57% were overweight to obese, 49%
had central obesity, and 27% had acanthosis nigricans. Clinical hyperandrogenism was found in 15.6% of the patients.
Approximately 7% of PCOS women had impaired fasting glucose and one third had dyslipidemia. Prevalence of the PCOS
criteria presenting in the population were oligomenorrhea and/or amenorrhea (98.4%), hyperandrogenism (49.2%), and
ultrasonographic polycystic ovary (97.2%). Of all participants, 44% had three components of diagnostic criteria. Among
those who had two components, presence of abnormal menstrual cycle plus polycystic ovary was the most common finding.
Conclusion : Menstrual problem was the most common presenting symptom among the presented participants.
Hyperandrogenism/ -emia adds only a little value on making PCOS diagnosis. Most of the PCOS Thai women have
menstrual problem. In these patients, ovarian ultrasonography has high value to diagnose PCOS; addition of androgen
blood test can diagnose only 3% more PCOS cases. Although the presented PCOS Thai women are still young, approximately
50% already have some parameters of health risk. It is suggested to provide preventive measures for these patients to prevent
long term medical problems.
Keywords : Characteristics, PCOS, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Thai
