Abstract 158

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of ethnic and geographic variation on emotional and psychosexual wellbeing in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Community-based setting with recruitment via social media through patient support groups. Population: Women with PCOS completing online questionnaire in September-October 2020 (UK) and May-June 2021 (India). Methods: Four validated questionnaires were included: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We used adjusted linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for age category, education level, marital status and parity, to evaluate the impact of ethnicity and birthplace, as well as questionnaire scores and outcomes (Anxiety and/or Depression [HADS ³11]); Body Dysmorphic Disorder [BDD; BICI ³ 72]). Main Outcome Measures: Anxiety, depression, BDD and sexual dysfunction. Results: 1008 responses were included. Women of non-White ethnicity (611/1003) reported higher rates of depression (Odd’s ratio [OR] 1.96 [95% CI 1.41-2.73]) and lower BDD rates (OR 0.57 [95% CI 0.41-0.79]) than White ethnic women (392/1003). Women born in India (453/1008) had higher rates 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 rates (OR 0.42 [95% CI 0.29-0.61]) than women born in the UK (433/1008). All sexual domains, excluding desire, scored lower for non-White ethnic women and women born in India. Conclusion: Our study investigating emotional and psychosexual wellbeing in women with PCOS reveals high rates of anxiety, depression and body dysmorphic disorder, poor body image, weight stigma and sexual dysfunction. Non-White ethnic women and those born in India reported higher emotional and sexual dysfunction, whereas White ethnic women and those born in the UK reported higher body image concerns and weight stigma, despite adjustment for confounders. In particular, this emotional and psychosexual illbeing can be influenced by ethnicity and birthplace. This warrants the need for regular in-depth universal screening and emphasises the role of a psychologist in the PCOS multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care.