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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 P198 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.P198

1University of Birmingham, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 2D Y Patil University - School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai, India; 3Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; 4The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, United Kingdom; 5University of Birmingham, Institute of Applied Health Research, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 6University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom; 7University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 8Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 9Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India; 10MS Ramaiah Medical College, Department of Endocrinology, Bengaluru, India; 11University of Birmingham, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 12Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Birmingham, United Kingdom


Objective: This study investigated the association between ethnicity, birthplace and emotional and psychosexual wellbeing in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in the community.

Design: International cross-sectional study.

Methods: Women with a self-reported PCOS diagnosis by a healthcare professional were invited to complete an online Blue Morpho questionnaire between September-October 2020 (UK) and May-June 2021 (India). Four validated questionnaires were included: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to examine anxiety and depression; Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) to assess dysmorphic appearance concerns; Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) to investigate beliefs about causes of obesity; and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain). Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between ethnicity (White vs Non-white) and country of birth (UK vs India), and questionnaires scores and outcomes (Anxiety and/or Depression [HADS ≥11]) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD; BICI ≥72]). Adjustments were made for age category, level of education, marital status and parity.

Results: 1008 women with PCOS completed the questionnaire. 44.8% were in the 26-35 age category, 44.9% had an undergraduate degree, 53.9% were single and 84.1% did not have children. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 60.6% and 24.3%, respectively. Women of non-white ethnicity (60.7%; n=611) reported higher prevalence of depression (OR 1.96 [95% CI 1.41-2.73]) but lower BDD (OR 0.57 [95% CI 0.41-0.79]) prevalence compared to white ethnic women (38.9%; n=392). Similarly, women born in India (44.9%; n=453) had higher prevalence of anxiety (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.00-2.46]) and depression (OR 2.20 [95% CI 1.52-3.18]) but lower BDD prevalence (OR 0.42 [95% CI 0.29-0.61]) compared to women born in the UK (43.0%; n=433). Both groups of white ethnic women and women born in the UK reported higher psychological illbeing; higher BICI and BAOP scores. However, overall sexual wellbeing and all FSFI sexual domains, excluding desire, were significantly impaired for both groups of non-white ethnic women and women born in India.

Conclusion: This study reveals the significant influence of ethnicity and birthplace on emotional and psychosexual wellbeing among women with PCOS, focusing on poor body image, weight stigma and sexual dysfunction. This highlights the importance of providing an individualised, holistic multidisciplinary approach alongside clinical care for women with PCOS and improving awareness of the significant influence of ethnicity and birthplace on PCOS related outcomes amongst primary healthcare providers to improve patient care.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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