A Questionnaire based Study on Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Reproductive Age Group at Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. Shalmali Makarand Gosavi, Dr. Jikki Kalaiselvi, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Gnanasekaran

Abstract: Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder prominent in reproductive-aged women, affecting around 3.7%-22.5% of the adult Indian women population. PCOS is primarily associated with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological complications, comprising with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life (QOL). Symptomatic presentation of PCOS are usually infertility, menstrual irregularities, hirsutism and obesity. These symptoms can be highly stigmatizing, attributing for significant emotional distress. Despite the rising awarenesses among women concerning PCOS, psychiatric morbidities remains as an underdiagnosed issue with regards to PCOS patients, highlighting the necessitation to investigate furthermore on their mental health and QOL. Objective: The research examined depression and anxiety levels in women with PCOS before investigating psychiatric symptoms and assessing how PCOS affects their health-related quality of life. Methods: The study used questionnaires to observe 60 non-pregnant females aged 18-45 years who met the Rotterdam criteria (2003) for PCOS at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in ACS Medical College, Chennai. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and a semi-structured questionnaire served to evaluate psychiatric disorders and assess QOL. The researchers applied appropriate statistical methods to analyze the collected data. Results: The research participants had an average age of 27.65 ? 7.60 years. Menstrual irregularities (95%) and weight gain (60%) were the most common symptoms. Psychiatric morbidity was present in 50% of participants, with anxiety (38.3%) and depression (25%) being predominant. PCOS significantly impacted mental health (41.6%) and socio-personal relationships (36.6%), reinforcing the association between PCOS and impaired QOL. Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity in PCOS patients is significant, affecting their emotional well-being and QOL. Professionals treating patients with PCOS must undertake depression and anxiety screenings as part of their standard care approach. The combination of gynecologists with psychiatrists and nutritionists creates a recommended approach to achieve better long-term health results.

Keywords: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, Psychiatric Morbidity, Quality of Life, Mental Health, Rotterdam Criteria, Women?s Health, Endocrine Disorders, Psychological Distress