Age and androgens in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: Hyperandrogenemia is a feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It was always linked to PCOS comorbidities and cardiovascular risk. Objective: analyze androgen levels across age groups in PCOS and controls. Design and method: age-matched PCOS and controls were recruited. PCOS diagnosis was made according to Rotterdam criteria. An age above 30 years was considered old reproductive age. Testosterone and estradiol were dertemined by cobas 6000-Roche. Androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were assessed using ELSA-DRG kits. Results: A total of 80 participants were included: 40 PCOS and 40 controls. No difference was noted in body mass index between PCOS patients vs controls and young PCOS patients vs old ones. All sex steroid hormone levels were increased in PCOS patients compared to controls. Negative correlations were observed between age and androgens in all participants. One-quarter of PCOS patients were at old reproductive age. Their androgens levels were significantly lower compared to younger PCOS patients. Conclusions: as women grow older hyperandrogenemia would be less pronounced. An age-specific androgen cut-off would be considered for the diagnosis of hyperandrogenemia and help in the assessment of cardiovascular risk.