A Descriptive Analysis of a Sample of Hispanic PCOS Patients Living in Puerto Rico [ID 2683511

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies during the reproductive years. Research has shown that Hispanic women with PCOS have the most severe phenotype, in terms of hyperandrogenism and metabolic disturbances. Absence of detailed characterization of PCOS in Puerto Rican patients poses significant barriers to translating research findings into clinical practice. Our aim is to provide an in-depth exploration of the gynecological profile of this population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 105 female participants aged 21–45 years who underwent clinical evaluation during their routine health visit at endocrinology and gynecology clinics at the UPR-RCM clinics. The study cohort comprised 79 individuals with PCOS and 26 individuals without PCOS. IRB approval number is 2290034657 (B0790117). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the prevalence of oligomenorrhea (90%; P<.001), amenorrhea (94.5%; P<.0004), clinical hirsutism (90.7%; P<.0001), and smoking (97.3%; P<.0001) among PCOS patients. These results align with existing literature on PCOS patients. There were no significant differences in menarche, thelarche, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, sociodemographic profile, or toxic habits between the two groups. Additionally, both groups exhibited similarly high body mass index, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1C levels. CONCLUSION: Our study population’s characteristics align with those reported in other studies. However, the observed metabolic disturbances in our control group may be attributed to unique factors prevalent within the Puerto Rican population. Although this research contributes valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge the study’s limitations, particularly the relatively small sample size. Further investigation and broader sampling are warranted to substantiate and refine these initial findings.