Tennilä J, Jääskeläinen J, Utriainen P, et al. - Since premature adrenarche (PA) may increase the risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), researchers sought to study characteristics of PCOS in young adult women with a history of PA. For this analysis, 30 PA and 42 control females were followed from prepuberty to young adulthood (median age 18.1 years). No differences were found in the use of hormonal contraceptives, indications for using contraceptives, or in the history of oligo- and amenorrhea. Among women who did not use hormonal contraception, those who had a history of PA had a higher prevalence of hirsutism but not acne. Findings suggested no association of PA with evident ovarian dysfunction in young adult women. Women with a history of PA, on the other hand, had lower sex hormone-binding globulin levels and thus higher bioavailability of circulating androgens.