Characteristics of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Bulgarian population

Aim. Our aim was to investigate the percentage occurrence of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Bulgarian population, and their clinical, biochemical and hormonal characteristics. Methods. The study included 70 women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. The women were divided into four phenotypes: hyperandrogenism (HA) + oligo-/anovulation (OA) + polycystic ovaries at ultrasound (PCO) (full-blown syndrome, phenotype A); HA + OA (former National Institutes of Health definition, phenotype B); OA + PCO (phenotype Q; and HA + PCO (phenotype D). Serum levels of testosterone, immune-reactive insulin, sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lipid metabolism parameters were measured. Free androgen index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were calculated. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were assessed. Results. The percentages of phenotypes A, B, C and D in a Bulgarian population are 58.6%, 11.4%, 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively. The women with the classical form of PCOS (phenotypes A and B) were more obese, had more strongly expressed hyperandrogenemia, and were more insulin-resistant compared with the women of phenotypes C and D. Conclusion. There is a significant difference in anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic indices between the classical form and the clinical variants of PCOS in the studied Bulgarian population.