PCOS Essay

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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common edocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age globally. It is characterized by menstrual irregularities, hirsutism and obesity. Different studies worldwide have shown that prevalence of PCOS ranges from 5 to 10% (1-3). Yet, there has been no large scale study to gauge the burden of the disease in South Asia.

According to Government of Pakistan Census in 1998, the estimated number of women in reproductive age group (15-49 years) in the country is 28.5 million, which makes 46 percent of total female population. There is scarcity of data to estimate true burden of the disease amongst these women but in one study , PCOS was found in 20.7% of women of reproductive age group in Pakistan (4).

The diagnosis of this syndrome is mostly clinical. Various sets of clinical features have been used to identify PCOS in studies globally. It was estimated in one study that about 70% of women with anovulation and normal serum gonadotropin levels suffer from PCOS(1), whereas 50% of those with PCOS are overweight(5). Some studies also used ultrasound imaging in diagnosing PCOS and reported a prevalence of 21% to 22%. In a study from North America PCOS with oligomenorrhea alone was found to be prevalent in about 4.4% Whites and 21% Indian women, whereas prevalence of PCOS as defined by both oligomenorrhea and hyperandrogenism ranges from 3.4% to 9% in different ethnicities.(6)

Considering the variation in clinical presentation of PCOS there was no fixed diagnostic criteria available until 1990. In April 1990 National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a conference and defined Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as having 1) hyperandrogenism, 2) oligoovulation, and 3) exclusion of known dis...

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... growing burden this disease on obstetric outcomes, we also know that there is a huge population at risk in our country. It is therefore important to evaluate PCOS pregnancies in Pakistan. This research aims to identify the local burden of complications of pregnancy among PCOS women. It will not only highlight the magnitude of problem but will help formulate better preventive and interventional strategies for future.

Objectives:

• To determine pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) managed at Aga Khan University.
• Estimate frequency of multiple conceptions, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, Pre-eclempsia, preterm delivery and different modes of delivery in these pregnancies.
• To determine trends in Birth weights, APGAR scores and NICU stay of the neonates born to PCOS mothers.

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