CORRELATION OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND ANTHROPOMETRY FACTORS WITH FREE ANDROGEN INDEX IN EVALUATION OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

• Vardhani Varadhan,  
• Ushadevi Gopalan,*  
• Karthika Mayilvahanan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age leading to subfertility and presenting with symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, and obesity. It is also linked with metabolic condition like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile and anthropometric factors in women with PCOS and their correlation with Free Androgen Index (FAI) levels. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 92 PCOS women in tertiary care centre. FAI levels were measured from blood samples, clinical features, anthropometric data were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-23, with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between FAI levels and clinical features. Higher FAI values correlated with irregular menstrual cycles (p = 0.0001), hirsutism (p = 0.00001), acne (p = 0.0001), androgen alopecia (p = 0.0001), acanthosis nigricans (p < 0.05), a mixed diet (p = 0.00001), physical inactivity (p = 0.00001), obesity (p = 0.00001), increased waist-hip ratio (p = 0.0001) and PCOM on ultrasound (p = 0.00001). Elevated FAI levels were notably associated with the metabolic phenotype of PCOS. CONCLUSION: FAI is a significant diagnostic marker for PCOS, strongly associated with clinical symptoms and metabolic risk factors. The study highlights the need for larger, multicentric research to validate these findings and improve PCOS screening and management strategies.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome, free androgen index, hyperandrogenism, metabolic syndrome, total testosterone, free testosterone.