Clinical and psychological correlates of quality-of-life in polycystic ovary syndrome
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 1 December 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Acta Endocrinologica
- Vol. 153 (6), 853-860
- https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.1.02024
Abstract
Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been shown to cause a reduction in quality of life. This study examines the extent of different PCOS symptoms on quality-of-life, psychosocial well-being and sexual satisfaction. Methods: Complete metabolic, hormonal, clinical and psychosocial data were obtained from a total of 120 women with PCOS. Patients were compared with 50 healthy women to establish reductions in quality-of-life and emotional well-being. In addition, the correlation between psychosocial variables and the major clinical PCOS features obesity (body mass index (BMI)), excessive body hair (hirsutism score), acne, hyperandrogenism (serum testosterone levels), disturbed insulin regulation (area under the insulin response curve and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), menstrual cycle disturbances and infertility were analyzed. Results: PCOS patients showed significant reductions in quality-of-life, increased psychological disturbances, and decreased sexual satisfaction when compared with healthy controls. BMI and hirsutism scores, but not the presence of acne, were associated with physical aspects of quality-of-life and sexual satisfaction. No clear effect of androgens or insulin resistance on psychosocial variables was detected. Similarly, the type of menstrual cycle disturbances or infertility had no impact on psychological well-being. Conclusion: In PCOS, changes in appearance, particularly obesity and hirsutism, reduce physical dimensions of quality-of-life and decrease sexual satisfaction. The role of biochemical, endocrine and metabolic parameters as well as menstrual irregularities and infertility appeared to be less important. Clinicians should pay attention to the psychosocial dimensions of PCOS on an individual basis, regardless of symptom severity or treatment response.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Health-Related Quality of Life Issues in Women With Polycystic Ovary SyndromeJournal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 2005
- Health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a self-administered questionnaire, was validatedJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2004
- Infertility caused by PCOS—health-related quality of life among Austrian and Moslem immigrant women in AustriaHuman Reproduction, 2004
- A practical approach to the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndromeAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004
- Persistent Psychological Distress in Patients Treated for Endocrine DiseasePsychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2004
- Psychopathology in Endocrine Disorders: Why So Persistent after the Cure?Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2004
- The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ): a validationHuman Reproduction, 2004
- Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndromeFertility and Sterility, 2004
- Quality of Life, Psychosocial Well-Being, and Sexual Satisfaction in Women with Polycystic Ovary SyndromeJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003
- Depression and obesityBiological Psychiatry, 2003