Biomarker Panel for PCOS-Associated Liver Steatosis in Adolescent Girls (COMPASS-pedPCOS)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver condition of childhood and is closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently co-occurs with obesity in adolescent girls, and hyperandrogenism has been proposed as an additional hepatic insult. Because obesity is a powerful confounder, the independent contribution of hyperandrogenism to hepatic steatosis in adolescents remains poorly defined.

This study will be conducted at the Departments of Pediatric, Departments of Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, and Pediatric Radiology of Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Türkiye. Participants will be allocated to three predefined groups. Group 1 comprises girls with PCOS and obesity, diagnosed according to adolescent-adapted Rotterdam criteria requiring both hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation, with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile. Group 2 comprises girls with obesity without features of PCOS, matched to Group 1 for age and body mass index. Group 3 comprises healthy normal-weight girls between the 5th and 84th body mass index percentiles.

The central comparison is Group 1 versus Group 2, which equalises adiposity and therefore isolates the contribution of hyperandrogenism. Hierarchical regression models will additionally adjust for body mass index z-score, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and free androgen index. Hepatic steatosis will be quantified by the controlled attenuation parameter obtained during vibration-controlled transient elastography; liver stiffness will be assessed by vibration-controlled transient elastography and two-dimensional shear wave elastography.

A single venous blood sample will be obtained at the study visit. Serum will be separated and stored at minus 80 degrees Celsius until batch analysis, and genomic DNA will be isolated for TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of PNPLA3 rs738409 and HSD17B13 rs72613567. All enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits will be procured as a single lot, and intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation together with spike-recovery validation will be documented for each kit.

Data will be recorded in a REDCap electronic case report form in accordance with ALCOA+ principles. The study is exploratory and is designed to generate effect-size and variance estimates for a subsequent validation study. Reporting will follow the STROBE statement, and non-invasive diagnostic performance analyses will follow the STARD 2015 statement. The study is also referred to as COMPASS-PedPCOS in institutional, ethics committee and funding documents.

Inclusion criteria

• Female, aged 10 to 18 years, with written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and written assent from the child.
• Group 1 (PCOS with obesity): both hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation required, based on adolescent-adapted Rotterdam criteria; body mass index at or above the 95th percentile.
• Group 2 (Obesity control): body mass index at or above the 95th percentile, without features of PCOS, matched to Group 1 for age and body mass index.
• Group 3 (Healthy control): healthy normal-weight girls (body mass index between the 5th and 84th percentile) without chronic disease, hyperandrogenism, or menstrual irregularity.

Exclusion criteria

• Known acute or chronic liver disease (including viral, autoimmune, or Wilson disease) or use of hepatotoxic medication.
• Endocrine disorders or secondary hyperandrogenism, including Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-secreting tumour, or hyperprolactinaemia.
• Syndromic or monogenic obesity (including Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Alström syndrome, MC4R or LEP variants) or a known genetic disorder.
• Use of relevant or hepatotoxic medication within the preceding three months, including corticosteroids, metformin, oral contraceptives, valproic acid, or antiandrogens.
• Pregnancy or regular alcohol use.
• Refusal of consent or assent.