Cutaneous manifestations in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: with a correlation to selected hormonal levels

Dinesh Jayaram; Sripathi Handattu; Prasanna Kumar Shetty; Girisha Shanmukha Banavasi

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Cutaneous manifestations in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: with a correlation to selected hormonal levels

Dinesh Jayaram, Sripathi Handattu, Prasanna Kumar Shetty, Girisha Shanmukha Banavasi

Abstract :

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is common in women of reproductive age group. They usually present with irregular menstrual cycles, acne, hirsutism, alopecia and acanthosis nigricans. The aim was to study the various cutaneous manifestations in PCOS and to correlate these with selected hormonal levels. This study was conducted in 18 months, wherein 87 patients diagnosed as PCOS were included. A detailed history and clinical examination was done for each patient, along with hormonal investigations like Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and Total Testosterone. Acne was the commonest finding (64.3%), followed by acanthosis nigricans (47.1%), hirsutism (41.4%) and alopecia (13.8%). TSH and LH were raised in 6.8%. LH:FSH ratio was >2 in 8.5% patients. SHBG was decreased in 5.1%. Total testosterone was elevated in 18.6%. There was a significant correlation between LH and acne (p=0.036), the LH:FSH ratio and acne (p=0.047), and between LH and hair loss (p=0.027). Acanthosis nigricans was seen in 35.6% obese women (p=0.001).