Polycystic ovary syndrome and intervening factors in adolescents from 15 to 18 years old

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2013 Jul-Aug;59(4):341-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ramb.2013.02.003. Epub 2013 Jul 11.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the factors related to the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with female adolescents from 15 to 18 years old, divided into: group 1 (with a medical diagnosis of PCOS) and group 2 (not diagnosed with PCOS). The height-for-age index and the body mass index were used for classifying the nutritional status, and a semi-structured questionnaire was applied. The Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's exact test, Spearman correlation coefficients, and logistic regression were used.

Results: This study evaluated 485 adolescents with an average age of 16.3 ± 0.9 years old. The prevalence of PCOS was 6.2%. No difference was found between the groups regarding anthropometric parameters and period of contraceptive use; however, there were differences regarding the age at menarche (p < 0.004). Older age at menarche was a protection factor against the syndrome.

Conclusion: An association was found between younger age at menarche and the development of the PCOS in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescente; Doenças metabólicas; Estado nutricional; Menarca; Menarche; Metabolic diseases; Nutritional status; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Síndrome do ovário policístico.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Mass Index
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Urban Population