Minerva ginecologica
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Minerva ginecologica · Feb 2008
Review Comparative StudyEvidence-based approach for the use of ultrasound in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrinopathy, affecting 5-10% of women in the reproductive age group, with a wide spectrum of phenotypes. The cardinal features are hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and/or polycystic ovary (PCO) appearance. Three major diagnostic criteria for PCOS have been proposed by the National Institute of Health (NIH 1990), the Rotterdam European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group (ESHRE/ASRM 2003) and the recent task force of the Androgen Excess Society (AES 2006). ⋯ In particular, ovarian stromal area/total area (S/A) ratio seems to have the most efficient diagnostic performance for hyperandrogenism. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a relatively new imaging modality that has the potential to improve the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound without adding much to the practical management of the syndrome. In addition to its role in the definition of PCO, ultrasound is helpful to predict fertility outcome in patients undergoing treatment.
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Minerva ginecologica · Feb 2008
Comparative StudyMetabolic and cardiovascular consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting 5-10% of reproductive aged women, about 1 out of 15 women worldwide. Traditionally it was considered as a reproductive disorder showing hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and infertility; it is now well accepted that PCOS represents a ''multifaceted'' syndrome with substantial metabolic and cardiovascular long term consequences. ⋯ Pathogenetic mechanisms of these impairments are not completely clarified yet, but IR appears to play a critical role, such as the key factor linking hypertension, glucose intolerance, obesity, lipid abnormalities and coronary artery disease. In conclusion, although increased incidence of metabolic abnormalities and metabolic disease like type 2 diabetes, and several cardiovascular abnormalities have been widely demonstrated in PCOS women, larger and multicenter trials of long term cardiovascular outcomes are required to better define the incidence of cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular disease in PCOS.