Complaints and phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome patients according to age groups

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women, is classified into four phenotypes (A, B, C, and D) according to the 2003 Rotterdam Criteria. The wide age range of the reproductive years raises the question of whether PCOS phenotypes and patient complaints are associated with age. Exploring phenotypes and complaints across age groups should aim to personalize PCOS management strategies. For this purpose, records of the patients who presented to the PCOS and Hirsutism Clinic at Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital between November 1, 2019, and January 1, 2024, were reviewed. A total of 87 patients diagnosed with PCOS were divided into four age groups. Medical histories and results were retrospectively evaluated. No statistical difference was found in presenting complaint frequencies across age groups (p=0.923) and no statistical difference was determined in the mean age of presenting complaints (p=0.402). The most frequently observed phenotype was phenotype A. No statistically significant relationship was found between age groups and PCOS phenotypes (p=0.136). The mean age of patients with phenotype B was significantly lower than that of those with phenotypes C and D (p=0.021). In conclusion, age does not have a determining effect on presenting complaints and phenotypes of PCOS patients. However, the lower mean age of patients with phenotype B suggests that patients with ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism tend to be younger than those with polycystic ovarian morphology which is anticipated to decline with age. Further studies with larger populations are needed to re-evaluate this relationship. Key Words: Anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovary syndrome