FRI405 PCOS Health-related Quality-of-life And Depressive Symptoms Across The Lifespan
Authors: Wright Pamela J , Corbett Cynthia F , Tavakoli Abbas S 
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: P.J. Wright: None. C.F. Corbett: None. A.S. Tavakoli: None.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, heterogenous collection of symptoms attributed to hormonal dysregulation. Of women diagnosed with PCOS, approximately 50% have obesity, 70% have dyslipidemia, and 80% have insulin resistance (1). These clinical features increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and reproductive cancers by ≥50% while negatively impacting health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). To date, most PCOS studies have only examined the cardiometabolic disturbances and HRQoL among women of reproductive age. However, PCOS is a chronic condition that transcends the reproductive years and requires management across a woman’s lifespan. Older women with PCOS continue to cope with multiple risk factors due to persistent hormonal dysregulation and/or because they have developed ≥1 cardiometabolic comorbidities. As such, we hypothesize that HRQoL among peri-postmenopausal women with PCOS remains compromised and depressive symptoms remain common. The purpose of our cross-sectional study was to compare HRQoL and depressive symptoms among peri-postmenopausal women with PCOS aged ≥43 years relative to premenopausal women with PCOS aged 18-42 years. An online survey link comprising questionnaires about demographics, HRQoL, and depressive symptoms was posted on two PCOS-specific Facebook groups. Respondents (n = 1,044) were separated into two age cohorts: women with PCOS aged 18-42 years (n = 935) and women with PCOS aged ≥43 years (n = 109). Data from the online survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression via SAS. Results were interpreted through the lens of life course theory. Life course theory describes a sequence of age-differentiated events and roles embedded in sociocultural context that people enact over time. Sociocultural contexts include stages of life (e.g., parenthood, menopause), social conditions (e.g., age-related norms), and relationships with other people (e.g., family, friends) during periods of human development (adolescence, adulthood, etc). Chronic health conditions impact human development and often alter the sociocultural context for women as they navigate the life course. Age, marital status, and children significantly differed between groups. HRQoL among older women with PCOS was significantly better as compared to those aged 18-42 years. Results indicated significant positive linear associations between the HRQoL psychosocial/emotional subscale and other HRQoL subscales and a significant negative association with age. Fertility and sexual function HRQoL subscales were not significantly associated with the psychosocial/emotional subscale among women aged ≥43 years. Women in both groups had moderate depressive symptoms. Study findings demonstrate the need to tailor PCOS management and PCOS-specific HRQoL assessment instruments to women’s life stage. This knowledge can inform future research about peri-postmenopausal women with PCOS and age appropriate and patient-centered healthcare, including requisite clinical screenings (e.g., depressive symptoms) and lifestyle counseling across the lifespan.

Azziz, R. (2020). Epidemiology and pathogenesis of the polycystic ovary syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-pathogenesis-of-the-polycysticovary-syndrome/

Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023