Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among infertile women in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a significant contributor to female infertility and other various metabolic disorders. This systematic review estimates the prevalence of PCOS among infertile women in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Methods: The study searched five databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS), from their inception to 2022 for observational studies conducted in GCC countries. Eligible studies included data on PCOS prevalence among infertile women. A random-effects model assessed the pooled prevalence, stratified by age, BMI, and infertility type. Results: Out of 855 records screened, seven studies were deemed eligible. Four (57.1 %) studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia, while the remaining three studies were carried out in Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, respectively. The pooled prevalence of PCOS was 30.0 % (95 % CI: 29.0–38.0 %, I-squared: 91.98 %). PCOS prevalence was higher in obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m²) women (27.0 %, 95 % CI: 22.0–32.0 %) than those with normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) BMI (18.0 %, 95 % CI: 11.0–26.0 %). Women aged 35 or older had a PCOS prevalence of 59.0 % (95 % CI: 45.0–72.0 %), compared to 30.0 % (95 % CI: 29.0–36.0 %) in age group 15–24 years old. Primary infertility was associated with higher PCOS prevalence (37.0 %, 95 % CI: 29.5–46.0 %) than secondary infertility (17.0 %, 95 % CI: 13.0–21.0 %). Conclusion: In four out of six GCC countries, PCOS was diagnosed in three out of every ten infertile women. Older age, obesity, and primary infertility were linked to higher PCOS prevalence. Screening for PCOS in these high-risk groups could improve fertility outcomes.