Epidemiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Iraqi women: prevalence, symptoms, and management strategies

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age around the world. Despite its positive effects on women's health, it still lacks considerable epidemiological data concerning PCOS epidemiology in women from Iraq. Objective: This study examined the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of PCOS in Iraqi women in order to inform health care planning, policy development and implementation. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used in which medical records were reviewed from three private hospital in Iraq between January 2020 and December 2022. We included women diagnosed with PCOS between the ages of 15-45 according to the Rotterdam criteria to explore several data points. These data points included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, biochemical results, and management approaches. Results: Of the 2,847 women screened, 487 women (17.1%) were identified with PCOS. The mean age of diagnosis was 24.6±5.8. The clinical presentation of symptoms reported were menstrual irregularity (89.3%), hirsutism (76.4%) and acne (68.2%). The mean BMI for women in the sample was 30 kg/m². There was 52.8% of participants with a BMI ? 30, which classified them as obese. In patients, there was 64.5% who reported insulin resistance. The most frequent approaches to management were lifestyle changes (95.1%), metformin (67.8%), and combined oral contraceptives (58.9%). Conclusion: Prevalence of PCOS in Iraqi women appears to be greater than global estimates with increased metabolic comorbidities. Early identification of PCOS, and safe and effective management approaches, would benefit the longer-term health of women. Building healthcare infrastructure and awareness will help to better address this health issue.