Hormonal Profiles and the Diagnostic Utility of Serum Dihydrotestosterone in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comparative Case-Control Study

This study investigated the role of serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by comparing DHT levels in women with PCOS to healthy controls. Conducted with participants aged 18-45 from the Maysan Specialized Surgical Hospital, the study found that women with PCOS had significantly higher serum DHT levels (4256 ± 233 ng/L) than controls (3776 ± 186 ng/L). The study identified an optimal DHT cutoff value of 408.3 ng/L, achieving a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100% for diagnosing PCOS. The findings suggest that elevated serum DHT is a significant feature of PCOS and can serve as a reliable biomarker for early detection, aiding in targeted therapeutic interventions.