Polycystic ovarian syndrome: marked differences between endocrinologists and gynaecologists in diagnosis and management

Summary Background Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) commonly consult endocrinologists or gynaecologists and it is not known whether these specialty groups differ in their approach to management. Objective To compare the investigation, diagnosis and treatment practices of endocrinologists and gynaecologists who treat PCOS. Design and Setting A mailed questionnaire containing a hypothetical patient's case history with varying presentations − oligomenorrhoea, hirsutism, infertility and obesity − was sent to Australian clinical endocrinologists and gynaecologists in teaching hospitals and private practice. Results Evaluable responses were obtained from 138 endocrinologists and 172 gynaecologists. The two specialty groups differed in their choice of essential diagnostic criteria and investigations. Endocrinologists regarded androgenization (81%) and menstrual irregularity (70%) as essential diagnostic criteria, whereas gynaecologists required polycystic ovaries (61%), androgenization (59%), menstrual irregularity (47%) and an elevated LH/FSH ratio (47%) (all P‐values