Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction with life (SwL) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison with those of healthy controls, and to identify and analyze factors determining QoL and SwL in women with PCOS. The cross-sectional study was performed between January and November 2016 in 504 women using health care services in Poland. The study group comprised women with PCOS, the control group women without PCOS. The study used a diagnostic survey with questionnaires. Research instruments included the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS), and a standardized interview questionnaire comprising questions on the participants’ characteristics. Women with PCOS have lower QoL and SwL than healthy controls (p < 0.05). Factors affecting QoL in PCOS patients included socio-economic standing, time from PCOS diagnosis, BMI, age, and professional activity (p < 0.05). Factors affecting SwL in PCOS patients included socio-economic standing, having children, BMI, and time from PCOS diagnosis (p < 0.05). The higher the PCOS patients’ QoL, the higher their SwL (p < 0.05). Further studies are required, focusing both on PCOS and its etiology, and on its impact on the women diagnosed with the disease.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age
Women with PCOS are at risk of endometrial cancer, infertility, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, among others
Typical PCOS symptoms include oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, acne, fertility disorders, and emotional or psychological disorders. These symptoms significantly affect the lives of PCOS patients, and in particular their psychological and emotional state, self-perception, quality of life and satisfaction with life [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age. In accordance with the Rotterdam criteria, PCOS is diagnosed if two out of the following three findings are present: oligomenorrhea or oligo-ovulation, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound [1,2,4]. Typical PCOS symptoms include oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, acne, fertility disorders, and emotional or psychological disorders. These symptoms significantly affect the lives of PCOS patients, and in particular their psychological and emotional state, self-perception, quality of life and satisfaction with life [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
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