Risk Factors for Psychological Distress and Impaired Quality of Life in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implications for Effective Nursing Care

McCook, Judy Griffin

Monday, 31 October 2011: 3:55 PM

Judy Griffin McCook, PhD, CNS, RN-BC
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Stacey Williams, PhD
Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Sheeba Anand, MD, MPH
Internal Medicine, VA, Johnson City, TN
Nancy E. Reame, MSN, PhD, FAAN
School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY

Learning Objective 1: Specify two of the three criteria used to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)based on the Rotterdam Criteria.

Learning Objective 2: Identify which demographic and co-morbidity factors place women with PCOS at increased risk for psychological distress and impaired quality of life.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multidimensional endocrine disorder characterized by at least two of the following three features: hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and/or polycystic ovaries. Rather than a distinct disease entity, PCOS is characterized as a clustering of clinical concerns which include hyperandrogenism, obesity, and menstrual abnormalities/infertility. Our intent was to examine how these three PCOS characteristics impact psychological symptoms and PCOS health related quality of life concerns.

Design: Cross-sectional, correlational

Setting: Private endocrinology practice in the rural Southeastern U.S.

Participants: The study sample consisted of 126 women with PCOS. The average woman in the study was 30 years of age (M=30.3, range=18-48), White (98 %) and married (79%).

Methods: Convenience sampling yielded 126 subjects who met the diagnosis for PCOS, underwent laboratory testing and physical assessment, completed psychological and quality of life survey instruments and were included in data analysis.

Results: Results of multiple regression analyses, controlling for demographic covariates, were completed on markers of hyperandrogenism, obesity and current fertility intent. Findings revealed hirsutism was significantly related to increased symptoms of anxiety and somatization and decreased quality of life among women with PCOS, while elevated androgen levels were significantly related to decreased quality of life. Current fertility intent significantly impacted symptoms related to interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, psychoticism, and the global symptom severity index. Specifically, women not currently trying to have a baby had higher levels of these psychological symptom outcomes.

Conclusion/Implications for nursing practice: Women with PCOS are at elevated risk for psychological distress, and psychological symptoms appear to increase with increasing severity of PCOS symptoms. Women not currently trying to conceive appear to be at higher risk for psychological distress and lower quality of life. Future attention might focus on screening and referral to mental health services for women not trying or no longer trying to conceive.

See more of: Health Promotion for Mental Health Issues
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Clinical Sessions