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Endocrine Abstracts (2021) 73 AEP175 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.73.AEP175

1University of Birmingham, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 2Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; 3The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, United Kingdom; 4King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 5Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom; 6University of Birmingham, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 7PCOS Vitality, United Kingdom; 8Warwick Medical School, Unit of Academic Primary Care, Coventry, United Kingdom; 9Birmingham City Council, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 10University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 11Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom


Background

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive, endocrine and metabolic disorder. The UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends evaluating emotional wellbeing in women with PCOS. Therefore, we conducted a health service evaluation to assess emotional wellbeing.

Methods

We invited women with PCOS via social media to complete an online survey in September 2020, supported by PCOS support groups: PCOS Vitality and Verity. The survey included questions on demographics and validated questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; score 8–10 borderline; score ≥ 11 cases of anxiety and depression, respectively), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI; score ≥ 72 suggestive of body dysmorphic disorder, BDD) and Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP; higher score suggestive of weight bias), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; higher score suggestive of psychosexual dysfunction). The results are reported as median and interquartile ranges (IQR).

Results

A total of 502 participants with self-reported PCOS completed the survey (48.4% were between 26–35 years of age; 74.1% identified as White British). The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 55.4% and 22.5%, respectively (HADS anxiety 11(8–14); depression 7(4–10)). According to BICI scores, 49.6% (n = 249) of women with PCOS suffered from body dysmorphic disorder. Scores for BAOP and FSFI questionnaires were 32(27–35) and 19.8(8.0–25.2), respectively. As expected, women with self-reported mental health diagnosis had higher HADS scores for anxiety (12(10–15) vs 10(7–13); P < 0.001) and depression (8(5–12) vs 6(2.25–8); P < 0.001). They also had higher body image concerns (BICI 74(64–82) vs 68(55.25–77.75); P < 0.001) and probable BDD (152 (58.9%) vs 97 (40.4%); P < 0.001). Presence of mental health diagnosis did not have an impact on perceived weight stigma (BAOP 32(28–36) vs 31(27–35); P = 0.346) or psychosexual function (FSFI 19.3(6.5–24.4) vs 20.6(11.3–26.1); P = 0.143). Borderline depression was more common in white ethnic women compared to non-white (n = 108 (25.3%) vs 74 (98.7%); P = 0.049). Based on ethnic group, results showed no difference in anxiety, depression, impact on body image concern, weight stigma and psychosexual function. Women with BDD had higher anxiety (HADS 13(10–15) vs 10(7–12.5)); P < 0.001), depression (HADS 8(6–11) vs 6(3–8.5); P < 0.001) and weight bias (BAOP 32(28–36) vs 31(26–35); P = 0.016). BDD did not impact psychosexual function (FSFI 19.8(6.8–24.8) vs 19.85(9.7–25.7); P = 0.453).

Conclusion

The study showed a high prevalence of anxiety, depression and BDD in PCOS, which was more severe in women with mental health disorders. It is important to address mental health and wellbeing in women with PCOS as part of their clinical care.

Volume 73

European Congress of Endocrinology 2021

Online
22 May 2021 - 26 May 2021

European Society of Endocrinology 

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