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Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age. Many factors are involved in the development of PCOS, among which genetic predisposition is probably the main contributor that is also influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. This study aims to determine the prevalence of PCOS in different continents based on Rotterdam, AES and NIH diagnostic criteria.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women according to (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched until February 2021 for relevant articles. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using the I2 index. Begg and Mazumdar’s test was used to evaluate publication bias.

Results

A total of 35 studies with 12,365,646 subjects were retrieved. The mean age ranged from 10–45 years. Global prevalence of PCOS was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.8–12.5%) based on meta-analysis, our results showed that the global prevalence of PCOS was 5.5% (95% CI: 3.9–7.7%) based on NIH criteria, 11.5 (95% CI: 6.6–19.4) based on Rotterdam criteria, and 7.1% (95% CI: 2.3–20.2%) based on AES criteria. According to self-report subgroup analysis, the prevalence of PCOS was found to be 11% (95% CI: 5.2–21.8%).

Conclusion

Based on the results of the present study, the prevalence of PCOS in the world was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.8–12.5%). According to the results of the present study and the high prevalence of PCOS, especially in the Africa continent, it is necessary for health systems to implement measures to timely prevent and treat this syndrome.

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Availability of data and materials

Datasets are available through the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

PCOS:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

NIH:

The national institutes of health

AE-PCOS:

Androgen excess and PCOS society

MESH:

Medical subject headings

WoS:

Web of science

PRISMA:

Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis

STROBE:

Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology for cross-sectional study

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Acknowledgements

This study is the result of research project No. 4000160 approved by the Student Research Committee of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. We would like to thank the esteemed officials of the center for the financial affords of this study.

Funding

By Deputy for Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (IR) (4000160). This deputy has no role in the study process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

    Nader Salari

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

    Anisodowleh Nankali

  3. Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

    Amirhossaien Ghanbari & Hooman Ghasemi

  4. Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Sima Jafarpour

  5. Department of Human Genetics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Sadat Dokaneheifard

  6. Research Center for NonCommunicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran

    Masoud Mohammadi

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  1. Nader Salari
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Contributions

NS and AGH and MM contributed to the design, MM statistical analysis, participated in most of the study steps. MM and HGH and AN prepared the manuscript. MM and HGH and AGH and SJ and SD and SHSH assisted in designing the study, and helped in the, interpretation of the study. All authors have read and approved the content of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masoud Mohammadi.

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Ethics approval was received from the ethics committee of deputy of research and technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (IR.KUMS.REC.1400.031).

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Salari, N., Nankali, A., Ghanbari, A. et al. Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07607-x

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