open access

Vol 63, No 3 (2012)
Original paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-06-28
Get Citation

Measuring salivary androgens as a useful tool in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Dorota Szydlarska, Wiesław Grzesiuk, Agnieszka Kondracka, Zbigniew Bartoszewicz, Ewa Bar-Andziak
Endokrynol Pol 2012;63(3):183-190.

open access

Vol 63, No 3 (2012)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-06-28

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrinopathies. Clinically it can present as oligo-/amenorrhoea, hyperandrogenism and/or fertility problems.
Material and methods: The study involved 60 women admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the Medical University of Warsaw. The initial evaluation, including case history and two-dimensional vaginal ultrasound, was performed by gynaecologists. All hormonal investigations (fT, free testosterone; bioT, bioavailable testosterone; T, total testosterone; T EQ, free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis; A, androstenedione; A EQ, free androstenedione by equilibrium dialysis; salA, salivary androstenedione; salT, salivary testosterone) were performed. Anthropometrical data, excess facial and body hair, acne, and menstrual cycle frequency were also assessed.
Results: Increased levels of T, fT, T EQ and A were noted in 20.0%, 89.8%, 100% and 28.3% of women, respectively. A very high correlation was found between salivary androstenedione and free androstenedione estimated by EQ in plasma (p < 0.05, r = 0.67), and total androstenedione in plasma (p < 0.05, r = 0.71). Correlation between salT and T was r = 0.31, p < 0.05 and salT and T EQ was r = 0.26, p = 0.04. Correlation between salA/salT and T, A in plasma (respective values r = 0.39 and r = 0.28, p < 0.01) and between salA/salT and A EQ, T EQ (respectively r = 0.34 and r = 0.48, p < 0.01) was evident.
Conclusions: SalA/salT ratio may be a good indicator of hyperandrogenism in women. We also confirm that measurement of androstenedione in plasma may be useful in making a diagnosis of PCOS.

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrinopathies. Clinically it can present as oligo-/amenorrhoea, hyperandrogenism and/or fertility problems.
Material and methods: The study involved 60 women admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the Medical University of Warsaw. The initial evaluation, including case history and two-dimensional vaginal ultrasound, was performed by gynaecologists. All hormonal investigations (fT, free testosterone; bioT, bioavailable testosterone; T, total testosterone; T EQ, free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis; A, androstenedione; A EQ, free androstenedione by equilibrium dialysis; salA, salivary androstenedione; salT, salivary testosterone) were performed. Anthropometrical data, excess facial and body hair, acne, and menstrual cycle frequency were also assessed.
Results: Increased levels of T, fT, T EQ and A were noted in 20.0%, 89.8%, 100% and 28.3% of women, respectively. A very high correlation was found between salivary androstenedione and free androstenedione estimated by EQ in plasma (p < 0.05, r = 0.67), and total androstenedione in plasma (p < 0.05, r = 0.71). Correlation between salT and T was r = 0.31, p < 0.05 and salT and T EQ was r = 0.26, p = 0.04. Correlation between salA/salT and T, A in plasma (respective values r = 0.39 and r = 0.28, p < 0.01) and between salA/salT and A EQ, T EQ (respectively r = 0.34 and r = 0.48, p < 0.01) was evident.
Conclusions: SalA/salT ratio may be a good indicator of hyperandrogenism in women. We also confirm that measurement of androstenedione in plasma may be useful in making a diagnosis of PCOS.
Get Citation

Keywords

zespół policystycznych jajników; androgeny w ślinie; hiperandrogenizm; zaburzenia miesiączkowania

About this article
Title

Measuring salivary androgens as a useful tool in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 63, No 3 (2012)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

183-190

Published online

2012-06-28

Page views

1094

Article views/downloads

1782

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2012;63(3):183-190.

Keywords

zespół policystycznych jajników
androgeny w ślinie
hiperandrogenizm
zaburzenia miesiączkowania

Authors

Dorota Szydlarska
Wiesław Grzesiuk
Agnieszka Kondracka
Zbigniew Bartoszewicz
Ewa Bar-Andziak

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

Via MedicaWydawcą jest  VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl