EFFECT OF POLY-CYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME ON SELF-ESTEEM AND BODYIMAGE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS ATTENDING ADOLESCENT CLINIC IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have serious health issues, affecting female health, causing body disfigurement, lowers self- esteem decreases the quality of life and, lifelong health consequences related to metabolic disorders. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate, 'the impact of various clinical features of PCOS namely obesity, hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities on psychological well-being in adolescent girls'. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the adolescent clinic, BHU. Tools used for data collection were a self-structured questionnaire which includes socio-demographic status, menstrual history, and anthropometric assessment. Hirsutism was assessed by the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system, acne by the Global acne grading system, self-esteem by Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and body image by Body Image Concern Inventory scale. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version '22'. Results: Findings of multiple regression analysis suggests that adolescent girls with hirsutism experienced poorer self-esteem (β= -2.621, p=0.01) and greater body dissatisfaction (β= 0.258, p= 0.02) than adolescents girls without hirsutism. Furthermore, obese adolescents had a lower level of self-esteem (β= -0.056, p=0.01) and negative body image (β= 0.748, p=0.01) compared with non- obese PCOS adolescents. Adolescent girls with menstrual irregularities had higher body dissatisfaction (β=0.143, p=0.05) than patients with a regular cycle. Conclusion: PCOS in adolescents having obesity, menstrual irregularities, and features of hyper-androgenism have a profound effect on psychological well being. So, the recognition of the early signs of PCOS during adolescence and early treatment can improve the quality of life.