Quality of life in overweight (obese) and normal-weight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

ObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity and has a wide variety of consequences. Approximately half of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and their obesity may be a contributing factor to PCOS pathogenesis through different mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate if PCOS alone affects the patients’ quality of life and to what extent obesity contributes to worsen this disease.DesignTo evaluate the impact of PCOS on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), 100 Mediterranean women with PCOS (group A), 50 with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 (group A1) and 50 with BMI <25 kg/m2 (group A2), were recruited. They were evaluated with a specific combination of standardized psychometric questionnaires: the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire. The patients were compared with a normal-weight healthy control group of 40 subjects (group B). Another control group of 40 obese healthy women (group C) was used to make a comparison with PCOS obese patients (A1).ResultsOur results showed a considerable worsening of HRQoL in PCOS patients (A) compared with controls (B). In addition, patients with PCOS and BMI >25 (A1) showed a significant and more marked reduction in scores, suggesting a lower quality of life, compared with controls (B) and with normal-weight PCOS patients (A2).ConclusionPCOS is a complex disease that alone determines a deterioration of HRQoL. The innovative use of these psychometric questionnaires in this study, in particular the PCOS questionnaire, has highlighted that obesity has a negative effect on HRQoL. It follows that a weight decrease is associated to phenotypic spectrum improvement and relative decrement in psychological distress.

Why we need epidemiologic studies of polycystic ovary syndrome in Africa

“…Lastly, most women with PCOS, regardless of body mass, have variable degrees of chronic subacute inflammation and insulin resistance, which are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and vascular disorders including cerebrovascular incidents and possibly even cardiovascular disease. 11 At least in part, this bias is determined by the negative impact of PCOS features, particularly obesity and hirsutism, on quality of life [12][13][14] and ability to access medical care. In 1990, the relatively strict US National Institutes of Health (NIH) criterion categorized two phenotypes of PCOS: phenotype A, comprising oligo-anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and PCOM; and phenotype B, comprising oligo-anovulation and hyperandrogenism.…”

“…A similar conclusion was reached in a study of Spanish women screened during blood donation. 11 At least in part, this bias is determined by the negative impact of PCOS features, particularly obesity and hirsutism, on quality of life [12][13][14] and ability to access medical care. 3 A meta-analysis of studies on PCOS has provided further evidence of referral bias for the PCOS phenotype.…”

Efeitos do treinamento físico aeróbio sobre a função sexual em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos: ensaio clínico controlado

“…Os problemas sexuais em mulheres com SOP podem estar relacionados com o fenótipo mais andróide da mulher que podem sentir-se menos atraentes, apresentam maior predisposição para depressão e ansiedade, são mais insatisfeitas com a vida sexual, (ELSENBRUCH et al, 2003;FERRARESI et al, 2013) e tem pior qualidade de vida devido a alterações nos domínios da função social, da vitalidade e do aspecto emocional (ELSENBRUCH et al, 2003;PANICO et al, 2017).…”

“…Essa característica tem implicações psicológicas derivadas da avaliação negativa da mulher sobre sua própria imagem (KOCELAK et al, 2012;KOWALCZYK et al, 2012;BAZARGANIPOUR et al, 2013). Assim, todos esses fatores como aumento do peso, rebaixamento da autoestima e distorção da autoimagem predispõem a disfunção sexual e são fatores preditivos para a piora da qualidade de vida (HAHN et al, 2005;BAZARGANIPOUR et al, 2013;BENETTI-PINTO et al, 2015;SHISHEHGAR et al, 2016;PANICO et al, 2017 (VERAS et al 2011;MANSSON et al, 2011;RELLINI et al, 2013;GOLDSTEIN et al, 2017). Stovall et al (2012) observaram que o peso corporal também pode interferir na resposta sexual e que a capacidade da mulher ter orgasmo reduz, na medida que o índice de massa corporal (IMC) aumenta.…”

“…(TSAI et al, 2016;HORNBUCKLE et al, 2017;STOA et al, 2017;THUM et al, 2017). Esses por sua vez, podem interferir indiretamente na qualidade de vida, disfunção sexual, distúrbios relacionados à imagem corporal e flutuações do humor (HAHN et al, 2005;JONES et al 2011;BAZARGANIPOUR et al, 2013;BENETTI-PINTO et al, 2015;DASHTI et al, 2016;SHISHEHGAR et al, 2016;PANICO et al, 2017).…”