Hormonal profiles and the diagnostic utility of serum dihydrotestosterone in polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparative case-control study
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EJTCM_2025_8_2_Hmoud (4).pdf (568.94 KB)
0000-0002-7097-1270 Date
2025-12-30
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Medical University of Gdańsk
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and metabolic disturbances. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen formed via the 5α-reductase pathway, may play a role in the clinical manifestations of PCOS. This study aimed to compare serum DHT levels in women with PCOS versus healthy controls and to evaluate its diagnostic value. Methods: In this case-control study, women aged 18-45 years were recruited from outpatient clinics at the Maysan Specialized Surgical Hospital (Al-Amarah, Iraq). PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria, while age-matched healthy volunteers with regular menstrual cycles served as controls. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical assessments, including anthropometric measurements. Fasting venous blood samples were collected between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, and serum was isolated for biochemical analysis. Serum DHT concentrations were measured using a competitive ELISA. Statistical analyses, including group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: Participants with PCOS had significantly higher serum DHT levels (4256 ± 233 ng/L) compared to controls (3776 ± 186 ng/L, p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis identified an optimal DHT cutoff value of approximately 408.3 ng/L, yielding a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100% for PCOS diagnosis. Conclusion: Elevated serum DHT is a key feature of PCOS and demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy. These findings support the clinical utility of DHT as a reliable biomarker for early PCOS detection and may facilitate targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Hmoud T R, Jawad M M, Alredha R D. Hormonal profiles and the diagnostic utility of serum dihydrotestosterone in polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparative case-control study. Eur J Transl Clin Med. 2025;8(2):17-24. https://doi.org/10.31373/ejtcm/208403