Characteristics of phenotypes (clinical variants) of polycystic ovary syndrome in women of reproductive age
Authors: Syusyuka V.G. , Sergienko M.Y. , Makurina G.I. , Yershova O.A. , Chornenka A.S. 
Published: July 2021

The objective: on the basis of a comprehensive examination of women of reproductive age to establish the frequency of phenotypes (clinical variants) of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Materials and methods. 34 patients (main group) who complained of menstrual disorders and/or dermatopathies by recommendation of a dermatologist were examined. The control group is represented by 30 women without gynecological and somatic pathology. The mean age of women in the main group was 26,4±0,9 years and 29,1±0,9 years in the control group (p>0,05). The age of women in the study groups ranged from 18 to 35 years. Patients underwent a comprehensive examination to assess the severity of hirsutism and the severity of acne, as well as the body mass index was determined. All women underwent ultrasound examination in the dynamics and quantitative assessment of the concentration of hormones in the blood plasma, namely cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, free testosterone and its index, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-α-OH-progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin. Variation-statistical processing of the results was carried out using the program «STATISTICA 13».Results. The results of the conducted research show that 73,5% had menstrual irregularities, and 52,9% – infertility. Acne and hirsutism in every 3rd woman were combined and were diagnosed in 47,1% and 41,2% of women, respectively. Ultrasound signs of polycystic ovaries were found in 94,1% of patients according to the criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS, and in 88,2% – anovulation. According to the laboratory examination, hyperadrogenism was found in 55,9%, which is confirmed by statistically significant (p<0,05) predominance in the main group compared with the control group of androstenedione, free testosterone and its index. In addition, it should be noted statistically significant (p<0,05) higher levels of 17-α-OH-progesterone and prolactin in the main group, but their indicators were within the reference values of the norm. Analyzing the frequency of phenotypes (clinical variants) of PCOS, it was found that phenotype A (classical) occurred in 32,4%. Phenotype B (incomplete classical) was diagnosed in 14,7%, and phenotype C (ovulatory) – only 8,8%. The most often, namely in 15 (44,1%) women with PCOS, the phenotype D (non-androgenic) was established.Conclusions. The results of the conducted research show that in women with PCOS clinical symptoms are characterized by menstrual dysfunction (73,5%), infertility (52,9%) and dermatopathies, namely acne (47,1%) and hirsutism (41,2%). According to the laboratory exanination, hyperadrogenism was found in 55,9%, which is confirmed by statistically significant (p<0,05) predominance in the main group compared with the control group of androstenedione, free testosterone and its index. Among the clinical variants of PCOS, the non-androgenic phenotype (phenotype D) was the most often diagnosed, the frequency of it was 44,1%. Classical (phenotype A) and incomplete classical (phenotype B) were found in 32,4% and 14,7%, respectively. It should be noted that only 8,8% of women with PCOS are diagnosed with phenotype C (ovulatory).