Endocrine Abstracts

Mood disturbances accompanying the symptoms and hormonal abnormalities are important, but underestimated, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our objective was to assess psychological features in women with and without PCOS.

Materials and methods: We investigated 116 PCOS women (according to the Rotterdam criteria) and 81 healthy control women in Vilnius city (Lithuania) in 2009–2011. Levels of anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The 14 items in the HADS (seven for anxiety and seven for depression) were given a score from 0 to 3 with a total score for either depression or anxiety ranging from 0 to 21. A score of 11 or above indicated anxiety and/or depression. We analyzed data of 194 women (114 PCOS and 80 healthy women) who completed the HADS. We tested total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), fasting glucose, insulin and lipid profile and calculated free androgen index (FAI) and insulin resistance index (HOMA–IR). Body mass and waist circumference were measured. Modified D Ferriman and J D Gallwey scale was used to assess hirsutism.

Results: Anxiety rate was higher in PCOS women compared to controls (37.7 vs 20.0%, P=0.006). 7.9% of PCOS and 10.0% of healthy women showed elevated HADS depression scores, while 5.3% of PCOS women and 1.2% of controls scored above the cutoff values for both subscales indicating anxiety and depression. PCOS women with anxiety were more hirsute (hirsutism index 8.00±5.71 vs 5.63±4.16, P=0.024) and had higher HOMA-IR (3.67±3.12 vs 2.82±2.80, P=0.047) compared to PCOS women without mood disturbances. Body mass, waist circumference, testosterone, SHBG, FAI and lipid profile did not differ between PCOS women with anxiety and without mood disturbances.

Conclusion: Anxiety is more prevalent in patients with PCOS compared to healthy women and might be associated with hirsutism and insulin resistance.