OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors related to the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, with female adolescents from 15 to 18 years old, divided into: group 1 (with a medical diagnosis of PCOS) and group 2 (not diagnosed with PCOS). The height-for-age index and the body mass index were used for classifying the nutritional status, and a semi-structured questionnaire was applied. The Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's exact test, Spearman correlation coefficients, and logistic regressionwere used. RESULTS: This study evaluated 485 adolescents with an average age of 16.3 ± 0.9 years old. The prevalence of PCOS was 6.2%. No difference was found between the groups regarding anthropometric parameters and period of contraceptive use; however, there were differences regarding the age at menarche (p < 0.004). Older age at menarche was a protection factor against the syndrome. CONCLUSION: An association was found between younger age at menarche and the development of the PCOS in adolescents.
Polycystic ovary syndrome; Adolescent; Nutritional status; Menarche; Metabolic diseases
