Neck Circumference in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Bootstrapped Meta-Analysis with GRADE...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Reproductive Health
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women.
• Neck circumference (NC) is a simple anthropometric measure that may be associated with metabolic alterations in PCOS.
• This study systematically reviews the association between NC and PCOS.

Approach:

• A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted.
• PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to November 15, 2023.
• Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to compare NC between PCOS and control groups, with heterogeneity and bias assessed.

Key Points:

• The meta-analysis included 9 observational studies.
• PCOS patients exhibited significantly higher NC values compared to non-PCOS controls (SMD: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41-0.91).
• Bootstrapped meta-analysis confirmed the accuracy and robustness of the findings, with no significant publication bias detected.

Conclusions:

• This meta-analysis provides robust evidence that higher neck circumference is significantly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Current evidence is insufficient to establish NC's diagnostic accuracy for PCOS.
• Further research is warranted to explore the diagnostic utility of NC in PCOS management.