Polycystic ovary syndrome: The importance of establishing diagnosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common disorder that occurs up t o 10% of premenopausal women. Although PCOS is known to be associated with a higher reproductive morbility and increased risk of hormone dependent-can cer, its diagnosis is particularly important because PCOS is strongly linke d to insulin resistance. This involves a major risk of early metabolic and cardiovascular complications. On the other band, the prevalence of metaboli c disorders associated with insulin resistance is higher in-family members of patients with PCOS than in those of normal women, which suggests that th e treatment of this syndrome should be preventive rather than symptomatic. For that reason, PCOS might be considered a signal of a family disorder, a route to diabetes and a public health problem (Rev Med Chile 2001; 129: 805 -12).