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Background <p>Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting females, characterized by hyperandrogenism and a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including menstrual irregularities, acne, hirsutism, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. Due to its chronic nature and the lack of a definitive cure, PCOS significantly impacts both physiological and psychological well-being. Early detection and appropriate management are essential to mitigate its long-term effects. Although PCOS is widely studied globally, research from Pakistan remains limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to screen female high school students in Islamabad for PCOS and explore relevant epidemiological associations.</p> Methods <p>This study employed a simple random sampling method with a self-developed questionnaire at a high school in Islamabad, Pakistan. Screening criteria for PCOS were adapted from a previously validated tool. Hirsutism was assessed using the Modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scale, with a population-specific cut-off score determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The study was conducted over a six-month period, from April to September 2024.</p> Results <p>Of the 147 participants, eight (5.44%) screened positive for PCOS, while eight individuals with a prior PCOS diagnosis were excluded from the screening. Including these cases, the population proportion of PCOS in the sample was 10.3%. Significant associations in the positively screened group included irregular menstrual cycles, oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea, midline hirsutism, higher BMI, thinning scalp hair, jawline acne, and lower fruit intake compared to the control group. These associations are consistent with known clinical features of PCOS.</p> Conclusion <p>Given the high prevalence and serious health impacts of PCOS, the adoption of an efficient and practical screening tool is vital. Our modified tool provides a valuable method for early PCOS detection, particularly in resource-limited settings like South Asia. By prioritizing costly diagnostic tests for positive cases, it helps avoid unnecessary expenditures for those not affected. The proposed mFG scale cut-off also serves as a valuable benchmark for future research on hirsutism in the Pakistani population. Exploring lifestyle factors, such as fruit intake, could offer insights into preventive strategies for PCOS.</p>

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Enhanced polycystic ovary syndrome screening: incorporating population and symptom-specific scales into a validated questionnaire and assessment of the syndrome’s associated factors: an analytical cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月10日

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  • Muhammad Ibrahim Khan,
  • Shireen Haider,
  • Fatimah Karim Kundi,
  • Anza Ayub,
  • Fatima Shaukat,
  • Muhammad Abdullah Mehmood,
  • Mahwish Akhtar Qureshi,
  • Muhammad Sheharyar Khan,
  • Rukhsana Khan

摘要

Background

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting females, characterized by hyperandrogenism and a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including menstrual irregularities, acne, hirsutism, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. Due to its chronic nature and the lack of a definitive cure, PCOS significantly impacts both physiological and psychological well-being. Early detection and appropriate management are essential to mitigate its long-term effects. Although PCOS is widely studied globally, research from Pakistan remains limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to screen female high school students in Islamabad for PCOS and explore relevant epidemiological associations.

Methods

This study employed a simple random sampling method with a self-developed questionnaire at a high school in Islamabad, Pakistan. Screening criteria for PCOS were adapted from a previously validated tool. Hirsutism was assessed using the Modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scale, with a population-specific cut-off score determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The study was conducted over a six-month period, from April to September 2024.

Results

Of the 147 participants, eight (5.44%) screened positive for PCOS, while eight individuals with a prior PCOS diagnosis were excluded from the screening. Including these cases, the population proportion of PCOS in the sample was 10.3%. Significant associations in the positively screened group included irregular menstrual cycles, oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea, midline hirsutism, higher BMI, thinning scalp hair, jawline acne, and lower fruit intake compared to the control group. These associations are consistent with known clinical features of PCOS.

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence and serious health impacts of PCOS, the adoption of an efficient and practical screening tool is vital. Our modified tool provides a valuable method for early PCOS detection, particularly in resource-limited settings like South Asia. By prioritizing costly diagnostic tests for positive cases, it helps avoid unnecessary expenditures for those not affected. The proposed mFG scale cut-off also serves as a valuable benchmark for future research on hirsutism in the Pakistani population. Exploring lifestyle factors, such as fruit intake, could offer insights into preventive strategies for PCOS.