Abstract
Being the most common endocrinopathy of young women, polycystic ovary syndrome has much variation in its clinical expression based on ancestry. Ethnic differences of the phenotype are closely linked to its complex pathophysiology. This paper reviews data of the past three decades ensuring a precise diagnosis and taking into account underlying factors, effects of migration including heterogeneity, and diversity within each identified ethnic group. Differing expressions of hyperandrogenism, obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome occur among women from distinct geographic locations and ancestry. These ethnic phenotypes correlate with their inherent metabolic risks, skin sensitivity to androgens and social outlook that particularly affects their quality of life and health-seeking behavior. It is recommended that such ethnic variations are recognized in routine clinical practice and longitudinal data be maintained to study the true impact of such differences on disease outcomes.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.