Table 2.
Summary of Previously Published Studies That Aimed to Define the Frequency of Disorders Observed in Women Who Had Serum Androgens Measured for Clinically Suspected Androgen Excess
| First Author (Reference Number) | Year of Publication | n | Menopausal Status | Setting | Presentation | Androgens Measured (Method) | PCOS, n (%) | Idiopathic Hirsutism, n (%) | CAH, n (%) | Androgen-Secreting Tumor, n (%) | Other, n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Di Fede (21) | 2010 | 152 | Premenopausal | Endocrinology department | Mild hirsutism (Ferriman–Gallwey score 8–15) | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 72 (47.4) | 77 (50.6) | 3 (2.0) | — | — |
| Karrer-Voegeli (22) | 2009 | 318 | Premenopausal | Endocrinology department | Skin manifestations of androgen excess | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 62 (27.6) | — | 4 (1.8) | OvTu, 2 (0.9) | Idiopathic hyperandrogenism (hirsutism or elevated androgens), 101 (44.3) |
| Escobar-Morreale (23) | 2008 | 270 | Premenopausal | Endocrinology department | Oligo-/amenorrhea and/or skin manifestations of androgen excess | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 171 (63.3) | 24 (8.9) | 6 (2.2) | — | Idiopathic hyperandrogenism, 61 (22.6); hyperprolactinemia, 2 (0.7%) |
| Fanta (24) | 2008 | 298 | Premenopausal | Obstetrics and gynecology department | Oligo-/amenorrhea and/or skin manifestations of androgen excess and biochemical androgen excess | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 290 (97.3) | — | 8 (2.7) | — | — |
| Carmina (25) | 2006 | 950 | Premenopausal | Two endocrinology departments | Skin manifestations of androgen excess | DHEAS and T (immunoassay) | 685 (72.1) | 72 (7.6) | 41 (4.3) | OvTu, 2 (0.2) | Idiopathic hyperandrogenism, 150 (15.8) |
| Azziz (26) | 2004 | 873 | Premenopausal | Obstetrics and gynecology reproductive endocrinology department | Oligo-/amenorrhea and/or skin manifestations of androgen excess | DHEAS and T (immunoassay) | 716 (82.0) | 39 (4.7) | 24 (2.2) | OvTu, 2 (0.2) | Hyperandrogenic insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans, 33 (3.1) |
| Glintborg (27) | 2004 | 340 | Premenopausal | Endocrinology department | Hirsutism | DHEAS and T (immunoassay) | 134 (39.4) | 201 (59.1) | 2 (0.6) | OvTu, 1 (0.3) | Prolactinoma, 1 (0.3) |
| CD, 1 (0.3) | |||||||||||
| Unluhizarci (28) | 2004 | 168 | Premenopausal | Endocrinology department | Hirsutism | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 96 (57.1) | 27 (16.0) | 12 (7.1) | ACC, 3 (1.8) | CD, 1 (0.6) |
| O'Driscoll (29) | 1994 | 350 | Premenopausal and postmenopausal (322 and 28 women, respectively) | Endocrinology department | Skin manifestations of androgen excess | DHEAS, T, and A4 (immunoassay) | 170 (60.0) of the 282 women who had an ultrasound scan | — | 3 (0.8) | ACC, 1 (0.2) | Cortisone reductase deficiency, 1 (0.2) |
| Two (12.0) of the 17 postmenopausal women who were scanned had PCOa | OvTu, 1 (0.2) |
Only studies with >100 patients were included.
Abbreviation: OvTu, ovarian tumor.
a
Diagnosis of PCOS in this study was based on the demonstration of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.