Enhanced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Screening: Incorporating Population and Symptom-Specific Scales Into a Validated Questionnaire and Assessment of the Syndrome’s Associated Factors: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

This study focused on enhancing PCOS screening among female high school students in Islamabad, Pakistan, using a modified questionnaire and assessment tool. Out of 147 participants, 5.44% screened positive for PCOS, with an overall prevalence of 10.3% when including previously diagnosed cases. Significant associations with PCOS included irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, higher BMI, thinning scalp hair, jawline acne, and lower fruit intake. The study emphasizes the importance of efficient screening tools for early detection, especially in resource-limited settings, and suggests that lifestyle factors like fruit intake could be explored for preventive strategies. The modified Ferriman-Gallwey scale cut-off provides a benchmark for future research on hirsutism in the Pakistani population.