Impact of promoting healthy lifestyle interventions among adolescents, young adults with polycystic ovarian disease in resource limited settings

Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a reproductive metabolic disorder caused by hormonal imbalances within women of fertile age. Mainstay for treating patients with PCOD includes pharmacological therapy and lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle modifications that play a key role in the management of PCOD are weight management, reduction in stress, physical activity, body mass index and dietary changes. There is sparse information regarding the impact of these interventional parameters among the PCOD women in the literature. This study aims to determine the impact of healthy lifestyle modifications in the management of PCOD among young adults and adolescents. It was a prospective interventional study conducted in the Gynaecology outpatient department in Government General Hospital, Kadapa over the time of 6 months from June 2019 to November 2019. Counseling on lifestyle changes and implementation of healthy lifestyle interventions were given to the study population by using the standard questionnaire forms and post counseling changes were collected after 90 days of visit to the clinic. The statistical significance was done by using the unpaired t-test and graph pad version 8.3.0. The total sample of 30 PCOD patients was compared to before patient counseling on lifestyle modifications and after follow-up. The total population was categorized into 2 groups as adolescents (10%) and young adults (27%). The current study showed that there is a significant association between dietary intervention (p <0.0113) and physical activity scores (p<0.029) among the PCOD patients. In PCOD patient’s healthy lifestyle modifications like dietary interventions and Physical activity serves as an effective treatment strategy adjunct to pharmacological therapy and improved the patient reproductive health.