Acanthosis nigricans as skin manifestation of polycystic ovaries syndrome in primary infertile females

Objective: The present work is to record the frequency of Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) among patients with Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS), and to observe the frequency of PCOS among patients with AN. and to study the association between AN & PCOS
Materials and methods: The present study consisted of two groups of patients; the first group included thirty-two primary infertile females. Their ages ranged from 18-33 years with a mean ± SD of 25.8 ± 7.2. The second group included twenty unmarried females with benign AN. Their ages ranged from 16-48 years with a mean ± SD of 18.55±3.73. 15 (75%). All patients are assessed by clinical examination, sonar and hormonal profile. The diagnosis of AN is mainly clinical by observation of hyperpigmented verrucous plagues with a velvety texture symmetrically distributed in the intertriginous areas and oral and anogenital mucosa. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination.
Results: The first group with primary infertility and PCOS. had AN. In 68.75%, while the second unmarried group who are complaining from AN. Showed the features of PCOS. in 75% of patients
Conclusion: This study showed a close association between PCOS and AN. So AN should be considered as an important skin marker and major feature of PCOS