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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): State of the Art: 2nd Edition
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): State of the Art: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 3962

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Enrico Carmina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Professor of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Interests: PCOS; hyperandrogenism; non classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia; fertility; infertility; anovulation; hirsutism; alopecia; female pattern hair loss; acne; menstrual irregularities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The previous Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine, highlighted our experience and was well received; as such, we have embarked on establishing Volume 2.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disorder that encompasses very different clinical patterns and may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

This Special Issue will focus on some important clinical problems, including the role of obesity and metabolic disorders in the pathogenesis and clinical evolution of the disorder. A new possible classification of the syndrome based on genetic and clinical clusters will be discussed. The treatment of special clinical problems in PCOS will be reviewed and new data will be presented.

We invite contributions to this important project and encourage discussions on the pathogenesis and new possible classification of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Prof. Dr. Enrico Carmina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • hirsutism
  • obesity
  • insulin resistance
  • amenorrhea
  • adult acne
  • female pattern hair loss
  • polycystic ovaries
  • anti-Mullerian hormone

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1582 KiB  
Article
Androgens and Hirsutism in a Large Cohort of Portuguese Women
by Joana Pinto, Nicoletta Cera, Claudia Camerino, Jorge Beires and Duarte Pignatelli
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(3), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030673 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 405
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hirsutism is excessive male-patterned hair in postpubertal women with multifactorial etiology and is an indicator of hyperandrogenism associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Indeed, it can be caused by the enhanced peripheral conversion of androgen precursors to testosterone, as in idiopathic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hirsutism is excessive male-patterned hair in postpubertal women with multifactorial etiology and is an indicator of hyperandrogenism associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Indeed, it can be caused by the enhanced peripheral conversion of androgen precursors to testosterone, as in idiopathic hirsutism (IH). Moreover, hirsutism can be caused by hirsutism-related hyperandrogenic syndromes like non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) and idiopathic hyperandrogenism (IHA). Methods: In this study, we characterized a large cohort of Portuguese women referred for hirsutism and estimated the prevalence of PCOS, NCAH, IHA, and IH. The levels of androgens and gonadotropins and body mass index (BMI) were measured and compared with controls. The correlation between each variable was calculated. Results: In the cohort, we found a prevalence of PCOS of 56.2%, IH of 20.2%, IHA of 17.3%, and NCAH of 6.2%. Subjects with PCOS were the only ones showing a significant difference in BMI compared to the controls and had the lowest levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Those with NCAH were younger and more hirsute with higher levels of testosterone, among other androgens. Those with IH had lower luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios than those with PCOS. Those with IH had lower SHBG levels compared to the controls and a higher free androgen index (FAI). Those with IHA had higher androgens compared to those with IH, in particular, adrenal-derived androgens. Conclusions: The pathogenesis of hirsutism is complex, and the contributions of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenals, adipose tissue, and liver have to be ascertained to understand the clinical manifestations and delineate appropriate treatments. This study sheds new light on the fine hormonal regulation of these diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): State of the Art: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 575 KiB  
Article
The Concentration of Follistatin and Activin A in Serum and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Stratification by Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Insulin Resistance, and Overweight/Obesity
by Justyna Niepsuj, Agnieszka Piwowar, Grzegorz Franik and Anna Bizoń
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5316; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175316 - 8 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of follistatin and activin A in the serum of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess their relationship with selected biochemical parameters, specifically stratifying the analysis based on tobacco [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of follistatin and activin A in the serum of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess their relationship with selected biochemical parameters, specifically stratifying the analysis based on tobacco smoke, insulin resistance, and abnormal weight. Methods: The research was carried out within a cohort of 88 women (60 women with and 28 without PCOS). Results: We observed significant differences (p < 0.05) in follistatin concentrations between women with PCOS stratified by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. These differences were consistent across both smoking and non-smoking subgroups with PCOS. Similar results were observed when comparing normal-weight women with PCOS to those with overweight or obesity. Additionally, activin A concentrations were significantly increased by higher body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR values in non-smoking women with PCOS. Moreover, we identified a negative correlation (r = −0.30; p < 0.023) between cotinine levels and Anti-Müllerian hormone. Among smoking women with PCOS, we noted decreased concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin and high-density lipoproteins, alongside increased fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and free androgen index values. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that activin A and follistatin concentrations are more strongly influenced by disruptions in glucose metabolism and BMI than by tobacco smoke exposure. The observed changes were more pronounced in follistatin than in activin A level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): State of the Art: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Exploration of Diagnosis Experience in Saudi Women
by Norah Alqntash, Alya AlZabin, Ebtesam Almajed, Kayan Alotaibi, Ghada Alhindi, Sayed Ibrahim Ali and Hanadi Bakhsh
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5305; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175305 - 7 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, characterized by symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic experiences of women with PCOS in Saudi Arabia, evaluating the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, characterized by symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic experiences of women with PCOS in Saudi Arabia, evaluating the timeline to diagnosis, the adequacy of information provided, and overall patient satisfaction with the healthcare process. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1182 women diagnosed with PCOS across Saudi Arabia. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, the timeline from symptom onset to diagnosis, the number of healthcare visits required for diagnosis, and satisfaction with the information and support provided during the diagnostic process. Statistical analyses, including linear regression, were performed to identify factors influencing patient satisfaction. Results: The study found that 43.2% of participants sought medical attention within a year of symptom onset, yet significant delays in diagnosis were common, with 28.6% of women waiting six months or more after seeking medical care. Only 42.7% of women reported receiving adequate information at diagnosis, and satisfaction levels varied across different aspects of care. Key predictors of lower satisfaction included marital status and longer time since diagnosis, while quicker diagnosis and more healthcare visits before diagnosis positively influenced satisfaction. Conclusions: The findings highlight critical gaps in the diagnostic process and patient education for PCOS in Saudi Arabia. The widespread dissatisfaction with the information provided underscores the need for improved patient-centered care, comprehensive education, and standardized diagnostic protocols. Addressing these issues could enhance patient satisfaction and lead to better management of PCOS, both in Saudi Arabia and globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): State of the Art: 2nd Edition)
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