Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects women of reproductive age
worldwide, showing varied prevalence rates depending on the diagnostic criteria
utilized. It is also thought to be influenced by race and ethnicity. Ethnic and
geographical variations in its prevalence and presentation highlight the multifactorial
nature of the syndrome. The economic burden of PCOS extends beyond healthcare
costs to encompass its impact on Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with
significantly higher risks of obesity, dyslipidemia, Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT),
and long-term complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. Recognizing
PCOS as a global health priority necessitates multifaceted approaches to improve
awareness, diagnosis, and management worldwide. This chapter presents the current
knowledge on the epidemiological aspects of PCOS and its prevalence based on the
different diagnostic criteria–American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
(Rotterdam 2003), National Institutes of Health (NIH) 1990, European Society of
Human Reproduction (ESHRE), and Androgen Excess and PCOS (AE-PCOS) Society
2006 – estimated in different populations. The evidence-based data regarding the
relationship between PCOS provides valuable insights, and race and ethnicity are also
discussed. Finally, this chapter provides an overview of the economic burden of PCOS
as well as ethnic and geographic variations in the prevalence of PCOS, drawing
insights from key research findings.
Keywords: Diagnostic criteria, Epidemiology, Ethnicity, Economic burden, Prevalence.
