Comparison of Ovarian Morphology, Pattern of Menstrual Cycles, and Testosterone Level in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients Regarding Body Mass Index Value

Background:
Considering the heterogenicity of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the diagnosis is difficult. The aim of present study was to compare ovarian morphology, pattern of menstrual cycles and testosterone level in obese and non obese polycystic ovary syndromepatients.
Methods:
Clinical characteristics, hormonal profile and ovarian morphology were evaluated in 54 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, aged 21-48 years. They were devided in 2 groups regarding Body Mass Index; obese (BMI ≥ 25) and nonobese (BMI < 25). Fidings were statistically analyzed.
Findings:
Mean BMI was 28.5 ± 3.2 in obese group and 21 ± 2.6 kg/m2 in nonobese group. Menstrual cycles were regular in 11 patients (20.4%) and irregular in 43 patients (79.6%). BMI was 23.6 ± 3.6 in patients with regular cycles and 25 ± 5 in those with irregular cycles (P = 0.36). Mean testosterone level was 7.1 ± 1.7 in obese and 5.6 ± 2.9 ng/ml in nonobese group (P = 0.69). In obese group, ovarian morphology was normal in only 8 patients (29.6%) and abnormal in 19 patients (70.4%) (P = 0.039) and in nonobese group 12 patients (44.4%) had normal morphology and 15 patients (55/6%) had abnormal morphology. (P = 0.039).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that there is significant correlation between BMI and ovarian morphology but there is no significant difference between BMI and menstrual cycle or BMI and testosterone level. Thus both obese and nonobse PCOS patients show different presentations and it is necessary to do more studies to compare clinical features of PCOS in obese and nonobese patients for early diagnosis and management.

Key words:
Polycystic ovary syndrome, Body Mass Index, Ovarian morphology, Testosterone.