Table 2.
Clinical and endocrine characteristics of the PCOS cases and controls.
| Variable | Total (n = 851) | Control (n = 644) | PCOS (n = 207) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age a (years) | 33.3 (7.5) | 34.1 (7.3) | 30.7 (7.5) | <0.001 |
| BMI a (kg/m2) | 26.7 (5.2) | 26.7 (5.1) | 26.6 (5.5) | 0.8 |
| Number of pregnancy a | 2.8 (1.6) | 2.9 (1.6) | 2.5 (1.5) | 0.01 |
| Number of delivery a | 2.5 (1.4) | 2.5 (1.4) | 2.1 (1.3) | 0.001 |
| Number of abortion a | 0.4 (0.7) | 0.4 (0.7) | 0.4 (0.6) | 0.9 |
| WC a (cm) | 83.2 (11.8) | 83.1 (11.7) | 83.2 (12.3) | 0.9 |
| Height a (cm) | 158.9 (6.2) | 158.9 (6.2) | 159.3 (6.1) | 0.4 |
| Weight a (kg) | 67.3 (13.0) | 67.3 (12.8) | 67.4 (13.7) | 0.9 |
| Hip a (cm) | 102.9 (12.2) | 102.9 (11.9) | 102.9 (13.3) | 0.9 |
| WHR a | 0.81 (0.09) | 0.81 (0.09) | 0.81 (0.07) | 0.9 |
| WHtR a | 0.52 (0.08) | 0.52 (0.08) | 0.52 (0.08) | 0.8 |
| FAI b | 1.9 (0.8,3.6) | 1.7 (0.7,3.2) | 3.3 (1.5,5.4) | <0.001 d |
| FSH b (microU/mL) | 7.6 (5.7,9.8) | 8.0 (5.9,10.1) | 8.9 (6.9,10.4) | <0.001 d |
| LH b (microU/mL) | 4.7 (3.4–6.5) | 4.6 (3.4–6.4) | 4.9 (3.3–7.0) | 0.2 |
| LH/FSH b | 0.6 (0.42–0.85) | 0.58 (0.40–0.81) | 0.69 (0.48–0.98) | <0.001 d |
| SHBG b (nmol/L) | 56.4 (42.7–81.9) | 59.4 (43.8–85.6) | 50.5 (40.8–67.5) | 0.001 d |
| DHEAS b (microg/dL) | 138.9 (73.6–195.6) | 118.9 (65.6–186.7) | 179.4 (119.3–221.0) | <0.001 d |
| Testosterone b (nmol/L) | 0.35 (0.14–0.61) | 0.31 (0.12–0.56) | 0.49 (0.24–0.79) | <0.001 d |
| TSH b (microU/mL) | 2.1 (1.5–3.4) | 2.1 (1.5–3.4) | 2.0 (1.4–3.4) | 0.2 |
| SCH c | 89 (10.5) | 65 (10.1) | 24 (11.6) | 0.5 |
a Values are presented as mean (SD), b values are expressed as median (Inter Quartile Range), c data shown as number (percentage). Analyzed using independent samples t-test for superscripts a, Mann–Whitney U test for superscripts b and Pearson’s test for superscripts c. PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome, BMI body mass index, WC waist circumference, WHR waist–hip ratio, WHtR waist-to-height ratio, FAI free androgen index, FSH follicle stimulating hormone, LH luteinizing hormone, FSH follicle stimulating hormone, SHBG sex hormone-binding globulin, DHEAS dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, TSH thyroid stimulating hormone, SCH subclinical hypothyroidism. d p < 0.001 versus controls after adjusting for age, BMI and parity.