Keywords

CMD; Health equity; Health disparities; Meta-analysis; Women's health; PCOS

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinological disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Due to the possibility of a genetic component affecting women with PCOS, evidence supports varying health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups. This literature aims to answer the question: Does the prevalence of cardiometabolic outcomes differ among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome across racial/ethnic groups? This umbrella review was conducted in accordance with JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRIOR reporting guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420261303872) before completion. PubMed, MEDLINE via EBSCOhost, and Web of Science via EBSCOhost were searched from inception to February 4, 2026. Eligible systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting cardiometabolic outcomes in women with PCOS stratified by race or ethnicity were included. A random-effects meta-analysis of dysglycemia was conducted in stratified ethnic subgroups. All remaining outcomes were evaluated through narrative synthesis. Seven systematic reviews met eligibility criteria, encompassing a broad range of cardiometabolic outcomes including dysglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This umbrella review identified significant heterogeneity among existing systematic reviews on cardiometabolic outcomes in women with PCOS across racial and ethnic groups. With overall Very Low certainty evidence and the absence of standardized ethnicity classification across primary studies, there is a fundamental barrier to concluding disparities between groups. Future research should prioritize consistent ethnic reporting and better reporting of possible confounding variables to increase the certainty of the evidence.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Rovito, Michael

College

College of Medicine

Thesis Discipline

Women's Health

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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