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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Oct;122(4):727-739.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.05.163. Epub 2024 Jun 27.

Anti-müllerian hormone as a diagnostic biomarker for polycystic ovary syndrome and polycystic ovarian morphology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kim van der Ham  1 , Joop S E Laven  2 , Chau Thien Tay  3 , Aya Mousa  3 , Helena Teede  3 , Yvonne V Louwers  2
Affiliations
Free article
Meta-Analysis

Anti-müllerian hormone as a diagnostic biomarker for polycystic ovary syndrome and polycystic ovarian morphology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kim van der Ham et al. Fertil Steril. 2024 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Importance: As part of the 2023 international evidence-based polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) guideline, this meta-analysis investigated the inclusion of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in the diagnostic criteria for PCOS.

Objective: To answer the following three questions: 1) Are AMH levels effective in diagnosing PCOS in adult women? 2) Are AMH levels effective in diagnosing PCOS in adolescents? Are AMH levels effective in diagnosing polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM)?

Data sources: Searches were conducted in six databases until July 31, 2023.

Study selection and synthesis: Eligible studies were those conducted in humans, published in English, and reporting sensitivity, specificity, and/or area under the curve values. Extracted data included study population, age, body mass index, AMH assay, cut-off value of AMH levels, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve values. The risk of bias was assessed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool. A random effects model was used to test diagnostic accuracy.

Main outcomes: Pooled sensitivity and specificity to use AMH levels for PCOS diagnosis in adults as well as adolescents and for detecting PCOM in adults.

Results: Eighty-two studies were included. The adult AMH-PCOS meta-analyses (n = 68) showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.82; I2 = 86%) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89; I2 = 91%). The adolescent AMH-PCOS meta-analysis (n = 11) showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.58-0.73; I2 = 74%) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71-0.83; I2 = 45%). The adult AMH-PCOM meta-analysis (n = 7) showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.72-0.85; I2 = 94%) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78-0.93; I2 = 94%). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: This study investigated the most profound change in the 2023 international evidence-based PCOS guideline, which now recommends AMH levels for defining PCOM in adults in accordance with the diagnostic algorithm. Antimüllerian hormone levels alone are insufficient for PCOS diagnosis and are nonspecific for PCOM in adolescents. Multiple factors influence AMH levels and cause heterogeneity as well as limitations in this study. Consequently, no international cut-off value could be recommended, emphasizing the need for research on more individualized cut-off values.

Keywords: AMH; PCOM; PCOS.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests K.V.D.H. has nothing to disclose. J.S.E.L. reports grants from Ansh Labs, Webster, Tx, USA, from Ferring, Hoofddorp, NL, from Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland, from Merck, Schiphol-Rijk, NL, and personal fees from Ferring, Hoofddorp, NL, from Titus Healthcare, Hoofddorp, NL, from Gedeon Richter, Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium, from Ansh Labs, Webster, TX, USA, from Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland, and is an unpaid board member and president of the AE-PCOS Society, and a member of the ASRM Research Integrity Committee, outside the submitted work. C.T.T. receives funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council supported Centre for Research in Women's Health in Reproductive Life. A.M. receives fellowship (salary) funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. H.T. receives funds from fellowship (salary) and grants from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Federal Government. Y.V.L. has nothing to disclose.