Age-Adjusted Prevalence and Characteristics of Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study (2010–2019)

Author: Ju Hee KIM ¹ ; Min Hyung JUNG ; Se Hwa HONG ; Nalae MOON ; Dae Ryong KANG
Author Information

1. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
Publication Type:Brief Communication
From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2022;63(8):794-798
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and is associated with an increased risk of obesity, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and endometrial cancer. This study analyzed 544619 women using the Korean Informative Classification of Disease, version 10, codes E28.0–E28.9 in the population-based National Health Information Databases from 2010 to 2019. The age-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates of PCOS over 10 years among Korean women were 2.8% and 4.3%, respectively; and they increased in the late teens, peaked in the 20s, and began to decrease at the age of 30. We also found that the body mass index, levels of fasting blood glucose, and high-density lipoprotein values in the recent two years (2018–2019) were higher in women with PCOS compared to the general population. This is the first study to investigate the prevalence of PCOS in a nationwide population of reproductive-aged Korean women. Further research is needed to examine the short- and long-term health risks and psychological problems associated with PCOS.