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Cited by 1,526Ovarian function and disordersEndometriosis Research and TreatmentGenetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases

The prevalence and phenotypic features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Bozdag, Gurkan, Mumusoglu, Sezcan, Zengin, Dila, Karabulut, Erdem, Yildiz, Bulent Okan·2016·Human Reproduction
DOI 10.1093/humrep/dew218
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Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: What is the reported overall prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the criteria of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rotterdam or the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AE-PCOS Society)? SUMMARY ANSWER: The reported overall prevalence of PCOS (95% CI) according to diagnostic criteria of the NIH, Rotterdam and the AE-PCOS Society is 6% (5-8%, n = 18 trials), 10% (8-13%, n = 15 trials) and 10% (7-13%, n = 10 trials), respectively. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Although many studies have investigated the prevalence of PCOS, there are discrepancies in their results, in part due to the use of various definitions of the syndrome and its subphenotypes, differences between study cohorts, ethnicities, and types of recruitment and sampling. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on all published studies that have reported the prevalence of PCOS according to at least one subset of diagnostic criteria. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: To identify relevant studies based on the PRISMA statement, PubMed and Ovid databases were searched up to September 2015 by two blind investigators using the terms 'PCOS', 'polycystic ovarian disease', 'Stein Leventhal syndrome', 'Androgen Excess Society', 'National Institute of Health', 'Rotterdam', 'ESHRE/ASRM', 'criteria' and 'prevalence'. Articles that represented the prevalence of PCOS according to at least one subset of diagnostic criteria were included. Exclusion criteria were a focus on adolescent subjects, an absence of data on prevalence, inappropriate design or non-English reporting. An appraisal tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the available studies was generated by the authors. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A total of 55 reports remained following screening of the abstracts and text for the subject of the study. Of these, 24 articles were eligible and evaluated for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Since heterogeneity was observed among studies, a random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence and its 95% CI. The proportions of PCOS prevalence (95% CI) according to the diagnostic criteria of NIH, Rotterdam and AE-PCOS Society were 6% (5-8%, n = 18 trials), 10% (8-13%, n = 15 trials) and 10% (7-13%, n = 10 trials), respectively. When only unselected population studies were included, the given rates were 6% (5-8%, n = 3 trials), 9% (7-12%, n = 6 trials) and 10% (7-14%, n = 3 trials). The respective proportions for hirsutism, hyperandrogenaemia, polycystic ovaries (PCO) and oligo-anovulation were 13% (8-20%, n = 14 trials), 11% (8-15%, n = 9 trials), 28% (22-35%, n = 12 trials) and 15% (12-18%, n = 19 trials), respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The effects of ethnic differences, particularly, on the presence or severity of hirsutism cannot be ruled out in any way. In addition, there was a lack of standardization in defining phenotypes of the syndrome and selection bias was evident in most of the studies regarding recruitment of the cohorts. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Geographical differences in frequencies of the components of the syndrome, such as oligo-anovulation and clinical/biochemical androgen excess, must be taken into account in the development and implementation of regional diagnostic and precision treatment strategies. Further efforts and resources are required to increase standardization of the methods and comparability of the study results on prevalence and phenotypic characterization of PCOS around the globe. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: No funding to declare. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. REGISTRATION NUMBER: None.

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  • The prevalence of PCOS in the study cohorts is in line with the 6% to 15% prevalence estimate found in community-based samples.

    “which is in line with the 6% to 15% prevalence estimate found in before community-based samples.6, 7, 8”

    From Examining the co-occurrence of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (2023) · cites this paper as [6]

    The Results passage reproduced under Additional information (page not available) reports PCOS prevalence of 6%, 9%, and 10% in unselected population studies, depending on diagnostic criteria. This supports the community-based comparison, but not a prevalence estimate extending to 15%. The source does not assess the citing paper’s own cohorts. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • PCOS is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder, affecting 6%-20% of populations.

    “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting 6%–20% of populations [1–4].”

    From Challenges in diagnosis and health care in polycystic ovary syndrome in Canada: a patient view to improve health care (2023) · cites this paper as [1]

    The Abstract calls PCOS the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, supporting the claim’s general characterization but with a narrower population. The Abstract and Discussion report pooled prevalence of 6% under NIH criteria and 10% under Rotterdam or AE-PCOS Society criteria; they do not establish 20% as an overall prevalence estimate. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • PCOS is the most common metabolic-endocrine disorder impacting the health and quality of life of women over the lifespan.

    “Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic-endocrine disorder impacting the health and quality of life of women over the lifespan.”

    From Increased Prevalence of Adverse Health Outcomes Across the Lifespan in Those Affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Canadian Population Cohort (2024) · cites this paper as [3]

    The Abstract says PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. It does not establish the broader claim about women over the lifespan or address effects on health and quality of life; it also does not call PCOS the most common metabolic-endocrine disorder. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • PCOS prevalence is 6% to 10% among women of reproductive ages.

    “PCOS is a relatively common disorder among women of reproductive ages with a prevalence of 6% to 10%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used (44)”

    From Circulating Testosterone as the Hormonal Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance (2018) · cites this paper as [44]

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Authors
Bozdag, G., Mumusoglu, S., Zengin, D., Karabulut, E., & Yildiz, B. O.
Affiliations
Hacettepe University (TR)
ORCID
Karabulut, Erdem
Venue
Human Reproduction
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2016-09-22
Volume
31
Issue
12
Pages
2841-2855
ISSN
  • 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2350
DOI
10.1093/humrep/dew218
OpenAlex
W2523733243
Cited by
1,526
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 178 · 2025: 198 · 2024: 202 · 2023: 199 · 2022: 218 · 2021: 192 · 2020: 138 · 2019: 101 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 3
FWCI
9.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Hacettepe University Institutional Repository (hacettepe.edu.tr) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
Keywords
polycystic ovary syndrome, prevalence, diagnostic criteria, NIH criteria, Rotterdam criteria, phenotypes, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperprolactinemia, menstrual disorders, infertility, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer risk
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Phenotype, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Prevalence

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