Study finds 17.4% prevalence of PCOS in Delhi’s college-going women

A study of 1,164 college-going women in the age group 18-25 years in Delhi shows a 17.4% prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the second-highest in the country. 
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A study of 1,164 college-going women in the age group 18-25 years in Delhi shows a 17.4% prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the second-highest in the country.

Partly funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, the study was published recently in the peer-reviewed journal, BMC Health. It comprised a cross-sectional survey, and a systematic review which analysed similar studies from 2010 to 2024 across India in similar age groups.

The study notes that PCOS, the endocrinologic disorder affecting females in the reproductive age, characterised by menstrual dysfunction, infertility, hirsutism, acne, and obesity, is “prevalent yet under-researched”.

It states that the pooled prevalence of previous studies in similar age groups, using the same criteria, across various regions in India, stood at 8.41%.

In 2023, the Ministry of Science and Technology had stated that India has a PCOS prevalence of 3.70%-22.50%. The prevalence of PCOS can vary between rural and urban areas, socio-cultural settings, and age groups. In previous studies, Lucknow reported the lowest prevalence of 3.70%, while Mumbai reported a prevalence of 22.50%.

Another study found that the prevalence can go up to 36% in adolescents.

Higher prevalence of PCOS in urban areas

A higher prevalence of PCOS has been noted in urban areas with heterogeneous populations, with many women moving for academic opportunities and work, the study notes. “This displacement causes psychological stress, disrupted sleep routine, and poor dietary habits resulting from competition for education and jobs, and juggling responsibilities of home and work, that could possibly be associated with rising rates of PCOS,” the researchers stated.

The research was conducted by Apoorva Sharma, Naorem Kiranmala Devi, and Kallur Nava Saraswathy from the Department of Anthropology, Delhi University; and Dr. Yamini Swarwal, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

“There are few studies focusing on this age group in India. We took ethical clearances from Delhi University to conduct the field work, which took us about two years,” Prof. Saraswathy said.

She added that the majority of women sampled had already been diagnosed, while the researchers had arranged for undiagnosed women experiencing symptoms to undergo ultrasound testing.

Of the 1,164 women surveyed, 70.30% had already been diagnosed, while 29.70% were newly diagnosed during the study.

Socio-demographic factors

Women from the upper class, and upper middle class, according to the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale on socio-economic status, are at an increased risk, the study found. It notes that higher disposable incomes had contributed to a “nutrition transition”, with increased consumption of fats, oils, processed foods, mixed carbohydrates and sugar, as well as eating out, becoming integral to urban Indian culture.

“Increased access to labour-saving devices and cars has reduced physical activity, leading to rising prevalence of insulin resistance and obesity, which are all associated with PCOS pathogenesis,” the study adds.

The study also found that the highest prevalence of PCOS is seen among the Scheduled Tribes (21.40%), followed by the General Category (19.90%), in comparison with Other Backward Classes (OBC) and the Scheduled Castes. It noted that this finding might reflect “broader societal disparities and variations in access to healthcare and resources among caste groups”, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.