News Releases

Advancing Women’s Health by Increasing PCOS Awareness in Trinidad

For Release Upon Receipt - June 21, 2023

St. Augustine


undefinedLeft to right: Diane Maharaj, President-Elect, Rotary Club of Felicity/ Charlieville, Renuka Ragoo, Team Lead-Corporate Social responsibility, Ramps Logistics; Alicia Paponette, Executive Administrator, Caribbean Eye Institute; Melissa Senhouse, Director, Rotary Club of St. Augustine; Tanya Western, President, Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain; Maria Mohammed-Maharaj, Rotary District 7030 Advocate, Empowering Girls; Team of Local Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Mohammed, Researcher, Department of Physics and Pre-clinical Sciences; Dr. Venkatesan Sundaram, Head,  Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Dr. Brian Cockburn, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. Wednesday 21st, June 2023- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent and often misunderstood female condition with one in every ten women worldwide affected by this condition and Trinidad is no exception. In an effort to raise awareness about PCOS and its impact on woman’s health in our country, a team of researchers, who have been studying PCOS over the last six years, has initiated a study to assess the prevalence of PCOS in Trinidad. By analysing data from a diverse sample of participants via random selection throughout Trinidad, the researchers hope to generate valuable insights that will inform better diagnostic and treatment strategies. The researchers also aim to improve detection rates, and enhance the quality of care provided to women affected by PCOS.

The definition and diagnosis for PCOS have been evolving over the past 85 years since Stein and Leventhal made their original description of the triad of amenorrhea, polycystic ovaries, and hyperandrogenism in 1935. . Women with PCOS often experience a range of symptoms, including weight gain, acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth in a male-like pattern), emotional distress and infertility. The condition also makes women susceptible to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular events.

The team of UWI researchers includes Dr. Stephanie Mohammed, a recent PhD graduate at the Department of Physics, Dr. Venkatesan Sundaram, the Head of Department for Basic Veterinary Science and Dr. Brian Cockburn, the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies. The team is working in collaboration with renowned expert in female reproductive disorders, Professor Ricardo Azziz, an Uruguayan-American obstetrician/gynecologist, reproductive endocrinologist and the founder and Senior Executive Director of the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society.

 

                                   Prof. Ricardo Azziz, Senior Executive Director Androgen Excess and PCOS Society.     

Professor Azziz is on the faculties of the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY), and is a fellow of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. He also holds numerous executive positions at Augusta University and Georgina Health Sciences with over 500 publications in PCOS worldwide. Another important member of the team is Mrs. Sasha Ottey, Founder and Executive Director for PCOS Challenge, Inc.  It is the leading online support platform and patient advocacy organisation globally, dedicated to advancing the cause for women and girls with PCOS. 

 undefined                                   Mrs. Sasha Ottey, Founder, and Executive Director of PCOS Challenge.  

“We are excited to launch this important study,” said the researchers on the project. “PCOS is a common but underdiagnosed disorder that can have a significant impact on women’s health. This study will help us to better understand the prevalence of PCOS in Trinidad and to develop strategies for improving the health of women with the disorder. The work is bolstered by collaboration with local healthcare professionals, experts in the field of PCOS, and the support of both local and international academic institutions. Through collaboration with specialists and drawing upon their expertise, we the researchers are aiming to make a meaningful impact from the research findings.”

The findings of this research will not only benefit individuals living with PCOS in Trinidad but also contribute to a broader understanding of the condition in the medical community because the silent condition is often misdiagnosed.

In general, four different phenotypes of PCOS are considered and should be referred to when making a diagnosis.

•  Phenotype A (also known as “full PCOS” or “classic PCOS”) includes biochemical or clinical hyperandrogenism, oligoovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology.

•  Phenotype B (also known as “classic PCOS”) includes hyperandrogenism and oligoanovulation and normal ovarian morphology.

•  Phenotype C (also known as “ovulatory PCOS”) includes hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology.

•  Phenotype D (also known as “non-hyperandrogenic PCOS”) includes oligoanovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology. 

The current treatment options mainly focus on managing the symptoms associated with the disease. These include dietary measures, lifestyle changes, physical activity, hormonal treatments with various medications, and surgical procedures such as laparoscopy, ovarian drilling and bariatric surgery. These treatment options are based on the diagnosis and also vary from patient to patient and country to country. The results from this study will aid in better monitoring, diagnosis and management of the condition in Trinidad.

The project was approved by The Ethics Committee of the UWI, St. Augustine Campus and also received funding from the School of Graduates because of its importance. Additional support was received from the Rotary Clubs of Central Port of Spain, Felicity/Charlieville, and St. Augustine because of the alignment with the club’s international focus on Empowering Girls in Trinidad with the focus on combating diseases, promoting girls’ empowerment, and addressing mental health issues. Other corporate sponsors include RAMPS Logistics and Caribbean Eye Institute who are also active Rotarians.  Recognizing that diabetes mellitus is often associated with PCOS, the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago has also committed to join the effort to support this groundbreaking study at The University of the West Indies.

“We are grateful for the support of the local community and look forward to helping women in Trinidad combat this condition.”

END

About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

Our 75th anniversary’s theme of "Rooted, Ready & Rising" captures the essence of our journey thus far. The UWI's vision is to be an outstanding global university deeply connected and rooted in our commitment to the Caribbean people. As an agile and responsive institution, the UWI stands ready to serve the Caribbean's needs and drive its progress. Furthermore, as a trusted resource, The UWI offers expertise and solutions to address issues the region encounters. Moreover, embodied in the word rising is our optimistic outlook for the future which in itself is an acknowledgment of our continuous path of improvement and development.

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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