JCEM: Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with multiple diseases A large retrospective study by Australian scholars published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) reveals that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of developing other diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, psychological disease, neoplastic disease and abnormal reproductive function. The authors collected case histories of patients diagnosed with PCOS since 1980, all of whom were over 15 years of age and had a mean age of 36 years at the time of inclusion in the study. A matched cohort of 25,660 non-PCOS patients was also selected. The results showed that hospitalization and mortality rates were approximately two times higher in patients with PCOS than in those with non-PCOS. Roger Hart, MD, lead author of the study and professor emeritus of reproduction from the University of Western Australia, said the study is the largest and longest-running controlled study of PCOS to date. The differences in disease risk revealed by the study were surprising. He noted that there have been many previous studies that have pointed to the many health problems faced by people with PCOS, but these studies were smaller and of shorter duration. Dr Hart said, “Clinicians must emphasize to PCOS patients that they are at higher risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease and should encourage these patients to maintain good lifestyle habits to reduce their long-term risk.” In particular, he emphasized that the risk of mental illness in PCOS patients may be underestimated. Rhoda Cobin, MD, a clinical professor of medicine from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, commented at the same time. He noted that PCOS is not a purely obstetric and gynecological disorder, but is significantly associated with multiple diseases. Physicians need to focus on the patient’s complaints, but they also need to assess their health status as a whole, including risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, even in younger patients. She also noted that current diagnostic criteria for PCOS are still confusing, and that some patients who do not have comorbid androgen excess may not have a serious condition. In addition, the patients counted in this study were younger women, who may have fewer cardiovascular and metabolic disease-related complications than older age groups.