Objective: The objective was to determine the prevalence and metabolic parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in southern China.
Study design: The study was observational with a parallel study. Participants were studied in a medical examination center. A population of 915 women of reproductive age was investigated at the time of their annual physical examination to determine the prevalence of PCOS in unselected women from southern China.
Results: Our results demonstrated a 2.2% (20/915) prevalence of PCOS. Women with PCOS had higher levels of luteinizing hormone and higher luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratios than those in the other groups. Women with PCOS had higher fasting insulin levels and lower fasting glucose/fasting insulin ratios than women in any of the other groups.
Conclusions: Some clinical and biochemical characteristics were apparent in PCOS patients in our population, and ethnic differences may be considered when studying the clinical and metabolic features of PCOS in China.