Diagnostic Issues of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Manaus, Brazil

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is prevalent in 6% to 20% in women of reproductive age and is considered the most common pathological endocrine disorder in this population. Its etiology is complex, and it is characterized by a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms arising from the excess of androgens. The diagnosis of PCOS is mainly made by observing the clinical phenotype of the patient, along with the request for laboratory exams. In this study, we analyzed medical records of patients who sought the Gynecology and Obstetrics ward of a university hospital in the city of Manaus, Brazil. Among 523 verified records, 40 PCOS diagnoses were found and related to the period from 1991 to 2018. We also verified the conditions of storage of medical records of patients, since, up until 2018, this reference center did not have digital data storage mechanisms. It was observed in some cases that important clinical data were not requested by the physician or, when requested, were not presented by the patient at the return visit. In other cases, some data were shown to be missing or crossed out. There was also a lack of appropriate data sheets for the collection of clinical data. The medical record is an important document and ensures the quality of continuous patient care and is also useful for data collection and analysis for teaching and research, among other uses. Due to the conditions of storage and recording of the patient's clinical history, it is possible that significant medical information may have been completely lost.