FREQUENCY OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF COMBINED MILITARY HOSPITAL LAHORE MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome in female medical students and the risk factors associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Study Design: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, from Apr to Dec 2017.

Methodology: All female medical students studying MBBS in Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College in 2017 were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to all female medical students and polycystic ovarian syndrome was diagnosed through Rotterdam criteria. An interview was scheduled with the students diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome to assess the risk factors associated with this condition.

Results: Two hundred and forty two students participated in the study with a mean age of 21 ± 1.6 years. The frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome in female medical students in year 2017 was 19.4% as 47 female students out of 242 fit the rotterdam consensus criteria for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Mean age of the students diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome was 20 ± 1.4 years. Six out of 47 patients (13%) had BMI >30. 37 out of 47 students (78%) used fats/oils/sweets daily or more than once a day. Family history of diabetes mellitus was positive in 34 out of 47 students (72%).

Conclusion: Our study showed a high frequency of polycystic ovarian syndrome in female medical students, which calls for a national study to look at its prevalence in our young female population, as it has long-term consequences for their reproductive and metabolic health.