South Asians (SA) develop cardiometabolic disease at elevated rates. We investigate whether reproductive-aged SA women are at higher risk for a precursor condition, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as compared to Caucasian controls. 52 SA and 52 Caucasian infertility patients from a single institution were included in a cross-sectional analysis. Outcomes were compared using Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson's Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. SA women were younger, with six-fold greater odds of PCOS. SA women were not obese, with similar body mass indices to controls. However, when screened, they demonstrated abundant metabolic disease, including insulin resistance, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and endometrial disease, including hyperplasia and polyps. The SA population was younger with more PCOS and high rates of metabolic and endometrial pathology. These findings, in the context of ethnicity-specific elevations in cardiometabolic risk, highlight the need for comprehensive screening and counseling in this patient population.
Keywords: Asian Americans; Healthcare disparities; Metabolic diseases; Polycystic ovary syndrome.