Table 2.
Functional Classification of PCOS According to Source of Androgen Excess
| PCOS Functional Type | Source of Androgen | GnRHag Test 17OHP Response | DAST Testosterone Response | ACTH test DHEA Response | Prevalence Among PCOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCOS-T | Primary FOH (typical FOH) | Higha | High in 92.5% | High in 28% (associated FAH) | 67%b |
| PCOS-A | Primary FOH (atypical FOH) | Normala | High | High in 30% (associated FAH) | 20% |
| Primary FAH (isolated FAH) | Normal | Normal | High | 5% | |
| PCOS without FOH or FAH (PCOS-A of obesity or idiopathic PCOS-A) | Normal | Normal | Normal | 8% |
Based on data of Rosenfield et al, Determination of the source of androgen excess in functionally atypical polycystic ovary syndrome by a short dexamethasone androgen-suppression test and a low-dose ACTH test. Hum Reprod. 2011;26:3138–3146 (47).
a
High vs normal denotes defining characteristics; percentages indicate experimentally determined prevalence of abnormality.
b
Prevalence determined from an age-matched subgroup (n = 60) of an original cohort (n = 99), in which 69% had PCOS-T. Modified with permission from Rosenfield, Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents. In: Rose BD, ed. www.uptodate.com. UpToDate. Waltham, MA; 2014.