Indices and Cut-off Points for Hyperandrogenism in Woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Lina Zabulienė, Zita Aušrelė Kučinskienė, Eglė Marija Jakimavičienė, Gražina Drąsutienė, Janina Tutkuvienė
Summary
The biochemical and clinical hyper- androgenism is an important component of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
The aim of the study was to determine normal variation and cut-off points for androgen levels and hirsutism in a healthy female poput ation, as well as to reveal the prevalence of PCOS phenotypes according to different cut-off points of hyperandrogenism.
During the 2007-2011 in total 197 women, aged 20-35 years, were investigated in Vilnius city, Lithuania: 116 females with PCOS (accordtng to Rotterdam 2003 criteria) and 81 healthy females without menstrual dysfunction and hyper- androgenism (control group). The hirsutism was evaluated using a modtfied D. Ferriman ir J. D. Gallwey (1961) score (mF-G). Serum levels of total testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and sex hormone bindtng globut in (SHBG) were estimated; the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. Imunometrical tests were performed using the elec tro chemi cal luminescence competitive immunoassay method.
The main percentiles for serum androgen levels in controls were calculated. The hairiness in healthy females ranged between 0 and 5 mF-G scores: 56.8% had 1 only 7.4% had 5 scores. The 95th percentile of hirsutism was 5 scores. The androgen levels in PCOS females matched with the hirsutism score well.
For Lithuanian women mF-G score 6 could be recommended as the hirsutism cut-off point. The recommended cut-off points for hyperandroge- nemia in 20-35 years old females (the 95th percentiles): T - 1.68 nmol/l, DHEAS - 10.42 |imol/l, FAI - 2.94 (accordtng to the above mentioned labor a - tory methods).
Keywords: female androgenization level, hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, total testosterone, free androgen index
