Phenotypic comparison of Caucasian and Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), particularly androgen excess, differ between Caucasian and Asian women in the San Francisco Bay Area. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary PCOS clinic at a tertiary academic center. PATIENT(S): 121 Caucasian and 28 Asian women, aged 18-44, examined between 2006 and 2011 with PCOS verified by a reproductive endocrinologist and dermatologist according to the Rotterdam criteria. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal ultrasounds, comprehensive dermatologic exams, and serum testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hirsutism defined as a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score ≥ 8, acne, androgenic alopecia, and biochemical hyperandrogenism. RESULT(S): Caucasian and Asian women had a similar prevalence of all measures of androgen excess. Both groups had similar total mFG scores and site-specific mFG scores, except Asian women had a lower site-specific mFG score for the chest. Although Asian women were more likely to use laser hair removal, the results were unchanged when the women with a history of laser hair removal were excluded. CONCLUSION(S): Caucasian and Asian women with PCOS living in the same geographic region had a similar prevalence of hirsutism as well as other markers for androgen excess. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the need for ethnic-specific mFG scores in women with PCOS.