ABSTRACT
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women, often associated with metabolic issues like obesity and insulin resistance. Lifestyle changes, including weight loss, healthy eating, and regular exercise, are recommended for PCOS management. Studies have explored women's perspectives on these changes, revealing misconceptions and adherence challenges. Recognizing the importance of individualized interventions, particularly addressing knowledge gaps, is vital for improving the quality of life for women with PCOS, especially in cultural contexts like Saudi Arabia. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia from May to August 2023 including PCOS patients. Data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS 29 (IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines and principles outlined by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of Taif University (no.44-359). All participants provided informed consent, and the study protocols, including data collection, analysis, and publication, adhered to the relevant ethical standards. Results Our study included a majority aged 18-29 (27.4%), married individuals (55.6%) and those with a Bachelor's degree (72%). About 46.9% were medically diagnosed with PCOS. A notable proportion (70.2%) reported no family history of PCOS. Doctors were the primary information source (40.7%). Knowledge about PCOS was generally high, with correct recognition of various PCOS characteristics and treatment options. Attitudes were positive, especially among medically diagnosed individuals, and 91% believed weight reduction could improve PCOS symptoms. Lifestyle modification knowledge, attitude, and practices showed significant associations with demographic factors like age, place of residence, education, marital status, working in healthcare sectors, and PCOS diagnosis status. Conclusions Knowledge about PCOS is generally high among women with positive attitudes toward its management through lifestyle modifications. Women generally show positive practices of lifestyle modifications in PCOS, and they are associated with sociodemographic features.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The global surge in high body mass index (BMI) and obesity has led to various health complications. While numerous studies have shown that obesity disrupts female fertility, the specific effects of obesity on the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments in Saudi women have been less explored. This study aimed to delve into this gap, especially focusing on the correlation between BMI, ovarian reserve parameters, and ART outcomes among Saudi women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to August 2023, concentrating on Saudi women aged 18 and above who underwent ART treatments for infertility. A total of 1071 women participated, with 155 completing an online survey and 916 responding through a hard copy from several Saudi hospitals. The data encompassed demographics, medical history, anthropometric details, ovarian reserve parameters, and ART results. For the analysis, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 28.0, Armonk, NY) was utilized, applying descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and a linear regression model to discern connections between BMI, participant characteristics, and ART outcomes. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most participants were aged 25-34 (406) years and held a bachelor's degree (707). Over half (560) received fertility treatments in the past, with 37.9% (406) having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 23.5% (252) with other fertility-impacting medical conditions. Interestingly, 62.1% (665) had not undergone any ART cycles. Of those who did, 51.6% (553) had clinical pregnancies leading to live births. About 23.8% (308) of those with clinical pregnancies faced miscarriages without successful live births. Furthermore, 17.6% (189) reported complications or side effects from past ART procedures, and 31.4% (336) were on ART-related medications or supplements. The linear regression highlighted that individuals with normal weight tended to undergo more ART cycles. However, those with a higher BMI exhibited increased chances of achieving clinical pregnancies and live births. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the crucial relationship between BMI and ART efficacy in Saudi women. The data reveals that BMI can significantly influence ART treatment outcomes, especially concerning the number of cycles, clinical pregnancies, and live births. Consequently, BMI should be an essential consideration when evaluating and optimizing the success rates of ART procedures.
