Disparity among Endocrinologists and Gynaecologists in the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

• Published in: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal 2020-08, Vol.20 (3), p.323-329
• Main Authors: Alnuaim , Lulu, Alzamil , Hana, Aloraini , Khawlah, Alsomali , Nora, Alsaaran , Ruba, Albahlal , Reem, Ghanim , Aya, Al Ageel , Reem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acne; Adult; Aged; Androgens; Clinical & Basic Research; Clinical Competence - standards; Clinical Competence - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; DIAGNOSIS; ENDOCRINE DISEASES; Endocrinologists - standards; Endocrinologists - statistics & numerical data; Endocrinology; Female; Genotype & phenotype; GYNECOLOGIC DISEASES; Gynecology; Gynecology - standards; Gynecology - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infertility; Male; Menstruation; Middle Aged; Morphology; OVARIES; Patients; PHYSICIANS; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - diagnosis; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Questionnaires; Response rates; SAUDI ARABIA; Society; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography - methods; أمراض الغدد الصماء; الأطباء; الأمراض النسائية; التشخيص; السعودية; المبايض
• ISSN: 2075-051X; 2075-0528
• DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2020.20.03.012

Objectives : this study aimed to compare endocrinologists’ versus gynaecologists’ approaches in using the Rotterdam criteria to diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). methods : this cross-sectional study was conducted at physiology department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between december2017 and April 2018. a validated self-administered questionnaire in English was used to obtain information from endocrinologists and gynaecologists regarding their approaches to diagnosing PCOS. each group’s diagnostic use of the rotterdam criteria, association between years of experience and clinical decision-making, clinical features leading to diagnosis and considerations in the diagnosis of biochemical parameters that define hyperandrogenism were evaluated. results: a total of 132 physicians were included in this study (response rate : 27%); 77 (58.3%) were endocrinologists and 55 (41.7%) were gynaecologists. most of the respondents (79.5%) had ≤20 years of experience. a statistically significant difference was detected between the endocrinologists and gynaecologists (98.7% versus81.8%; p = 0.001) in their consideration of hyperandrogenism in the diagnosis. the gynaecologists relied more on ovarian morphology than the endocrinologists did (76.4% versus 45.5%, p