ABSTRACT
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorder having most impact on women of reproductive age group, affecting their quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological well-being. Objective: This paper aims to determine QOL among women affected with PCOS attending a multidisciplinary clinic using PCOSQ tool and its association with socio-economic status, phenotypes, anxiety, depression and metabolic comorbidities and evaluate the coping strategies adapted by these women. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Integrated multidisciplinary PCOS clinic. Patients: Two hundred and nine women diagnosed with PCOS as per Rotterdam criteria. Results: Infertility was an important condition for reduced HRQOL and psychological morbidity across all socio-economic status and phenotypes. The poor psychological status and obesity were identified as determinants of HRQOL among women affected with PCOS. Those who suffered from anxiety, depression and showed lower HRQOL used emotional maladaptive coping strategies. Conclusion: Results reveal that HRQOL of PCOS women is worsened in the presence of comorbidities. Maladaptive and disengagement coping strategies used by women may worsen their psychological status. Holistic assessment of comorbidities and its management can help improve HROL of affected women. Personalised counselling based on the assessment of coping strategies used by women could empower women to cope better with PCOS.
