Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) stands out as one of the prevalent endocrine disorders affecting women in their reproductive years, impacting 8-13% of females as per World Health Organization (WHO) statistics. This condition has significant repercussions on a woman’s sense of self, mental well-being, and overall life quality. While individuals with PCOS often grapple with anxiety and sadness throughout the diagnosis and treatment phases, external factors can influence these emotions. This uncertainty stems from a lack of comprehensive understanding about various aspects of the syndrome, such as its lifelong progression, diverse symptomatology, and overall morbidity. The concept of illness uncertainty, prevalent in both acute and chronic conditions, is characterized in literature as a cognitive stressor, a sense of loss of control, and a state of evolving perceptual doubt. This uncertainty is closely tied to an individual’s challenges in adapting to the ongoing process of the disease.

Aim: The objective of this study is to assess the levels of mental health and illness uncertainty in women diagnosed with PCOS and to analyze how these factors influence their quality of life.

Method: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional examination conducted with a pilot sample of 127 women attending a public hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Information was gathered through a Personal Information Form, along with the Depression Stress and Anxiety Scale, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF).

Results: The individuals involved in the study had an average age of 30.9±5.40 years, predominantly single (52.8%), and most had completed high school (62.2%), with incomes generally matching their expenses (44.1%). Regarding PCOS characteristics, the participants were diagnosed with PCOS at a mean age of 18.1±2.17 years. Notably, all participants underwent hormone treatment, with only 29.9% adhering to their medication regimen, and a mere 1.6% receiving PCOS education for self-care. A majority of participants exhibited symptoms such as excess body hair (69.3%), acne (33.9%), irregular menstrual cycles (58.3%), and sexual problems (22.0). The participants recorded elevated scores on the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Depression Stress and Anxiety Scale, and the WHOQOL-BREF.

Conclusion: The findings indicate heightened levels of depression, stress, and anxiety and illness uncertainty among women with PCOS, and implementing targeted interventions has the potential to alleviate these symptoms and raise quality of life.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary, illness uncertainty, mental health, quality of life