Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an endocrinological problem among women in the reproductive age, is characterized by chronic ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and elevated luteinizing hormone: follicle stimulating hormone (LH-FSH) ratio. The goal of this study was to examine if the blood LH-FSH ratio and total testosterone (TT) levels in Sudanese women with PCOS were linked. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 300 women with confirmed PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria. PCOS women mean (standard deviation): age 29.1(5.8) years; body mass index (BMI) 27.9±4.6 kg/m2. Each participant underwent a clinical history, physical examination, and ovaries ultrasonogram. ASYS Expert Plus Microplate was used to quantify serum LH, FSH, and TT levels in fasting blood specimen drawn during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle of women with PCOS. Results: More than two-thirds of the participants (71.0%) had an aberrant LH-FSH ratio (cut-off>1.0), and 58.3% had hyperandrogenemia (TT>109.5 ng/dL). Hyperandrogenemic women had significantly increased LH-FSH ratio (P= 0.000). The LH-FSH ratio and serum TT were significantly positive correlated (r= 0.329, P= 0.000). Overall, 52.0% of women with PCOS exhibited menstrual cycle irregularity, and 59.0 % had a positive family history of PCOS. On logistic regression analysis, the LH-FSH ratio (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 2.308 (1.698- 3.139, P= 0.000) was found to be positively related to hyperandrogenemia independently. Furthermore, when the LH-FSH ratio is greater than one, hyperandrogenemia can be distinguished from normoandrogenemia, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.726, P= 0.000, 95% CI: (0.668-0.785) with a serum TT threshold of 109.5 ng/dL (sensitivity 70.0%, specificity 77.1%). Conclusions: In women with PCOS, the serum LH-FSH ratio and TT have a strong relationship. Furthermore, LH-FSH ratio of greater than one can be used to distinguish between hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic PCOS women.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine condition affecting women of reproductive age, with a reported frequency of 6 to 15%.1,2 PCOS is characterized by a female sex hormone imbalance and increased androgen production, which results in irregular or extended menstrual periods, obesity, and excessive hair growth.[3]
According to the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis; luteinizing hormone (LH)-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio>1 can distinguish hyperandrogenemia from normoandrogenemia in women with PCOS (AUC = 0.726, P=0.000, 95% CI: 0.668-0.785; sensitivity 70.0%, specificity 77.1%) at TT threshold 109.5 ng/dL (Figure 2)
In the present study, the link between serum LH-FSH ratio and total testosterone level were investigated in a crosssectional analysis of 300 Sudanese women with PCOS
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine condition affecting women of reproductive age, with a reported frequency of 6 to 15%.1,2 PCOS is characterized by a female sex hormone imbalance and increased androgen production, which results in irregular or extended menstrual periods, obesity, and excessive hair growth.[3]. PCOS is characterized by a female sex hormone imbalance and increased androgen production, which results in irregular or extended menstrual periods, obesity, and excessive hair growth.[3] Genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as environmental variables have been identified as risk factors for intra-ovarian hyperandrogenism.[3] PCOS is a challenging disorder to diagnose since it is a diverse condition with different characteristics. It is currently diagnosed using revised Rotterdam criteria, which has been recently approved by an international evidencebased PCOS guideline.[4,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call