A B S T R A C T BACKGROUND The incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome is found to be very common in patients attending gynaecology department. The incidence is growing rapidly among young adults. PCOS leads to multiple complications. A study of 120 women with PCOS was done in Kerala in India in order to analyse the prevalence, clinical features and impact on life. METHODS Case records of women who were diagnosed as Polycystic Ovarian Disease who attended the gynaecology OPD in Karuna Medical

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... lege Hospital in Kerala were randomly selected. Women included in the study were in the age group of 14 -30 years. The sample size selected was 120. The study was carried out for a period of 12 months in our hospital with the help of the records available. The diagnosis was made as per Rotterdam's criteria. RESULTS 75 women were unmarried and 45 married. 2 of the women had subclinical hyperandrogenism. 70 women have DHEA increased. FSH: LH ratio > 2:1 seen in 84 women. Testosterone was normal. Anti-Mullerian Hormone was raised in 84 women, indicating hyperandrogenism. Serum Prolactin was normal in most women except in 2 women. CONCLUSIONS PCOD leads to many complications like diabetes, Metabolic X syndrome, cardiovascular complications, breast cancer, endometrial cancer and depression. Kerala is considered as the diabetic capital in India. There are several risk factors like, family history, lack of exercise, stress, and high carbohydrate diet. A screening programme for PCOD is essential to prevent the sequelae.