Renaming PCOS--a two-state solution

Area of Science:

• Reproductive endocrinology
• Metabolic health
• Syndromic classification

Background:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is recognized as a disorder with significant metabolic consequences beyond its reproductive effects.
• Diagnostic criteria like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria identify women with PCOS who are at high risk for metabolic complications.
• The Rotterdam criteria include phenotypes with primarily reproductive dysfunction, distinct from those with metabolic morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the need for distinct nomenclature for PCOS phenotypes based on their primary health impact.
• To advocate for a new name for PCOS phenotypes characterized by high metabolic risk.
• To propose retaining the current name for PCOS phenotypes predominantly affecting reproductive health.

Main Methods:

• Review of evidence presented at the NIH Office for Disease Prevention-Sponsored Evidence-Based Methodology Workshop on PCOS.
• Analysis of diagnostic criteria (NIH and Rotterdam) and their association with reproductive versus metabolic phenotypes.
• Formulation of a position statement regarding nomenclature for PCOS.

Main Results:

• The workshop recommended the creation of a new name for PCOS.
• A distinction is made between PCOS phenotypes with primarily reproductive issues and those with significant metabolic sequelae.
• The proposed approach involves retaining the name PCOS for reproductive phenotypes.

Conclusions:

• Two distinct names are recommended for PCOS phenotypes.
• Phenotypes with primarily reproductive consequences should continue to be designated as PCOS.
• Phenotypes with significant metabolic consequences warrant a new, separate designation.