• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.86-93
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• 2015

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. It consists of a heterogeneous collection of signs and symptoms that together form a disorder spectrum. The diagnosis of PCOS is principally based on clinical and physical findings. The extent of metabolic abnormalities in women with PCOS varies with phenotype, body weight, age, and ethnicity. For general population, the prevalence of hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea decreases with age, while complications such as insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances increase with age. Obese women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, and lower luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) ratios than non-obese women with PCOS. The LH to FSH ratio is a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating Taiwanese women with PCOS, especially in the diagnosis of oligomenorrhea. Overweight/obesity is the major determinant of cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances in women of reproductive age.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2008

Objective: This pilot study was performed to investigate the effect of metformin on insulin resistance, hormone levels, and lipid profiles in non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: This study included 16 non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed at our hospital from June 2006 to September 2007. Blood samples were collected before and 6 months after metformin treatment for analysis of fasting serum glucose levels, fasting serum insulin levels, a glycemic response to 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and hormonal blood profile including FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, free testosterone, serum lipid profiles. Insulin resistance was estimated by calculating fasting glucose/insulin ratio (FGIR), 2 hr glucose/insulin ratio after 75 g glucose load. And we investigated insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function by calculating HOMA beta cell function and HOMA IR. Results: After the treatment of metformin, there was significant increase in 2 hr glucose/insulin ratio after 75 g glucose load (p=0.04) and decrease in HOMA IR (p=0.000). But serum lipid profiles did not change significantly. Also the metformin treatment induced a significant reduction in serum free testosterone and LH levels, and LH/FSH ratio (p=0.001, p=0.000, p=0.034). Conclusion: This pilot study showed that metformin might be effective in improving insulin sensitivity, ameliorating hyperandrogenemia in non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Further investigations with larger number of patients and long-term observations are necessary to determine the role of metformin.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.68-84
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• 2017

Objectives: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by ovulatory disorder, polycystic ovaries and clinical or laboratory hyperandrogenemia, also associated with an increased risk of various other long-term complications. The purpose of this study is to develop a standard instrument of pattern identifications in Korean medicine for PCOS. Methods: We retrieved the patterns and symptoms from Korean and Chinese literatures which mentioned pattern identifications of PCOS. In order to develop the instrument, we took the consultation from the advisor committee based on the collected informations from literatures. Finally the questionnaire of pattern identification for PCOS was developed. Results: 1) 5 pattern identifications and 53 symptoms and signs were selected from 20 references. 2) We obtained the mean weights which reflected the standard deviations from each symptom of the pattern by 15 experts. 3) We designed the Korean medicine Instrument on pattern identification for PCOS. It was composed of 61 questions, 44 of patient-reported format and 17 of assessor-reported format. Conclusions: Instrument of pattern identification for PCOS was developed through experts' discussion. Further study is required to identify the validity and reliability of this pattern identification instrument for PCOS.