Nutritional Status of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Irbid Governorate, Jordan: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a crucial infertility problem among women in the world; especially Arab women. The main objective of this case-control study was to perform anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and nutritional assessment among PCOS patients. The study population composed of 60 Jordanian women aged 19–39 years, and classified into two groups: 30 were cases (PCOS patients) and 30 were control group (Healthy women). Results of the study indicated that the Body Mass Index (BMI) were significantly higher among PCOS patients than healthy women. Furthermore, significant differences were shown in the mean values of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and (LH): Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (LH:FSH) ratio which were higher among PCOS patients with a p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively. Also, significant differences between PCOS patients and healthy women were shown for three clinical manifestations of PCOS including infertility, sleep apnea, and eating disorders. Moreover, the findings of the validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) revealed no significant differences between two study groups in the consumption of macronutrients and total energy intake. It is obviously concluded from the study that PCOS is remarkably responsible for substantial variations in anthropometric and biochemical measurements, hormonal levels, and clinical features among PCOS patients.