Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common occurrence with adolescent girls with type 2 diabetes, according to a study reported in JAMA Network Open.¹

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Cioana et al set out to examine the prevalence of PCOS in adolescent girls and also to investigate any association between obesity and race.

For this they reviewed published literature up to April 4, 2021. Six studies (five retrospective and one prospective) involving 470 girls with diabetes were included in the meta-analysis out of the 722 studies that were reviewed. All were diagnosed between 13 and 16 years of age; the mean duration of type 2 diabetes. Nearly 20% of the participants had PCOS in three studies, which is much higher than that in the general adolescent population. When studies that did not report PCOS diagnostic criteria were excluded from the analysis, the calculated prevalence (weighted percentage) was 24.04%. According to the authors, because of lack of adequate data, the association with obesity and race could not be ascertained.

About one in five girls with type 2 diabetes have PCOS. Given these findings, all adolescent girls should be screened for PCOS at the time they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Reference

1. Ciona M, et al. Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in patients with pediatric type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Feb 1;5(2):e2147454. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.47454.