SFEBES2025 Poster Presentations Reproductive Endocrinology (22 abstracts)
Impact of clinical hyperandrogenism on anxiety and depression in PCOS: results from the DAISy-PCOS study
Meryem Ertugrul 1,2 , Tara McDonnell 3 , Eka Melson 1,2 , Thais P. Rocha 4 , Leanne Cussen 3 , Cara Go 5 , Fannie Lajeunesse-Trempe 6 , Punith Kempegowda 4,7 , Merah Al-Busaidy 3 , Thozhukat Sathyapalan 8 , Jyotsna Pundir 9 , Richard Anderson 10 , Barbara McGowan 11 , D. Aled Rees 12 , Georgios K. Dimitriadis 6 , Harpal S. Randeva 13 , Channa N. Jayasena 5,2 , Alice J. Sitch 4 , Michael W. O’Reilly 3 , Wiebke Arlt 1,2 & for the DAISy-PCOS Investigators 2
1MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom; 2Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; 3Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, United Kingdom; 4University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 5Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; 6King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; 7University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 8Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull, United Kingdom; 9Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; 10University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 11Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; 12Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; 13University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of women and is characterized by hyperandrogenism. Women with PCOS have been reported to have an increased risk of depression and anxiety. We aimed to determine prevalance of anxiety and depression in a large cohort of women with PCOS and the impact of hyperandrogenism on these measures.
Method: We prospectively recruited 726 women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria (2003) from 10 centres in the UK & Ireland. The median age was 30 years (IQR: 26–34), 24.2% (n = 169/699) were non-White, and 76.7% (n = 524/683) were overweight or obese. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression (scores >7 considered abnormal). Logistic regression models were used to identify factors that adversely impact mental health.
Results: Among participants, 69.3% (n = 473/682) had symptoms of anxiety, while 35.9% (n = 245/682) had symptoms of depression. Anxiety was associated with self-reported alopecia (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6–3.4, P < 0.001), clinician-assessed alopecia (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.8, P = 0.007), and self-reported hirsutism (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.7, P = 0.021). Both self-reported (aOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.5–3.3, P < 0.001) and clinician-assessed alopecia (aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.8, P = 0.009) remained significant, after BMI adjustment. For depression, self-reported alopecia (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3–2.5, P < 0.001), weight-related issues (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6–3.9, P < 0.001), and menstrual irregularities (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.9, P = 0.048) showed significant associations. However, only self-reported alopecia remained significant (aOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4, P = 0.002), following BMI adjustment. Acne and acanthosis nigricans, did not significantly affect anxiety or depression.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate that hyperandrogenism, particularly hirsutism and alopecia, play a significant role in the increased prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with PCOS. This underscores the importance of mental health screening for the care of women with PCOS.
Volume 109
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Endocrine Abstracts
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