Table 3.
Clinical and endocrine characteristics of women with SCH according to the PCOS status.
| Variable | SCH PCOS (n = 24) | SCH Control (n = 65) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age a (years) | 32.3 (8.1) | 35.1 (7.5) | 0.1 |
| BMI a (kg/m2) | 28.0 (5.6) | 27.8 (4.5) | 0.8 |
| Number of pregnancy a | 2.7 (1.7) | 2.8 (1.4) | 0.8 |
| Number of delivery a | 2.1 (1.4) | 2.5 (1.3) | 0.3 |
| Number of abortion a | 0.5 (0.6) | 0.2 (0.4) | 0.07 |
| WC a (cm) | 87.9 (11.8) | 86.3 (9.6) | 0.5 |
| Height a (cm) | 158.9 (4.7) | 158.6 (5.7) | 0.9 |
| Weight a (kg) | 70.6 (13.7) | 69.9 (10.7) | 0.8 |
| Hip a (cm) | 107.7 (10.6) | 105.2 (9.7) | 0.3 |
| WHR a | 0.81 (0.07) | 0.82 (0.06) | 0.4 |
| WHtR a | 0.55 (0.08) | 0.54 (0.06) | 0.6 |
| FAI b | 4.9 (2.4–7.0) | 2.7 (1.2–3.8) | 0.004 d |
| FSH b (microU/mL) | 6.7 (5.5–9.0) | 6.5 (5.2–9.6) | 0.9 |
| LH b (microU/mL) | 4.3 (3.5–7.9) | 4.5 (3.5–6.4) | 0.5 |
| LH/FSH b | 0.6 (0.5–1.3) | 0.6 (0.5–0.8) | 0.5 |
| SHBG b (nmol/L) | 44.1 (33.2–54.8) | 60.1 (49.9–89.3) | 0.001 d |
| DHEAS b (microg/dL) | 191.9 (148.0–221.5) | 136.1 (55.8–214.8) | 0.01 f |
| Testosterone b (nmol/L) | 0.6 (0.3–0.8) | 0.5 (0.2–0.7) | 0.08 |
a Values are presented as mean (SD), b values are expressed as median (Interquartile 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. 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, PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome. d p < 0.001 versus controls after adjusting for age, BMI and parity. f p < 0.05 versus controls after adjusting for age, BMI and parity.