CLINICAL PROFILE OF YOUNG ADULTS (18-24 YEARS) WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common endocrine problem with a heterogenous clinical picture. Early identication is essential to prevent metabolic problems and infertility. To estimate the prevalence of Objective: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and depict the clinical prole of young adults (18-24 years) with Polycystic Ovary syndrome. A cross- Methods: sectional study of all the nursing students aged 18-24 years in Thiruvananthapuram District was conducted to self-screen for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Rotterdam criteria were applied. The study group comprised 529 subjects who were diagnosed to have the syndrome. The clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics and anthropometric variables of the study group were estimated and compared with 399 young adults without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Variables were expressed in terms of frequenci Statistical Analyses: es for categorical and mean (± SD) for continuous variables. Chi-square test was used for categorical and t- test for continuous variables. The prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Results: Syndrome was 13.1%. Irregular periods was seen in 74.7%, hirsutism in 57.1%, acne in 37.1%, acanthosis nigricans in 51% and alopecia in 2.5%. Overweight and obesity were found in 30.8%, increased waist circumference in 16.1% and hypertension in 27.8%. Polycystic Conclusion: Ovary Syndrome is a clinically heterogenous condition with an increased prevalence of irregular periods, hirsutism, acne and acanthosis. Overweight and obesity are signicantly increased. A younger age group of late adolescents or young adults is ideal to screen for the syndrome and institute lifestyle intervention to prevent metabolic problems.