Abstract

Study Objective To assess psychiatric disorders in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and evaluate health-related quality of life and self-esteem in this group.

Design Cross-sectional design. The survey was composed of validated measures and a semistructured interview.

Setting University School of Medicine, Turkey.

Participants Female adolescents aged 13-18 years.

Interventions and Main Outcome Measures Assessment of psychiatric disorders through a semistructured interview (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children) conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results A total of 28 adolescent with PCOS and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy peers were recruited. The psychiatric diagnosis rate was higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (P < .5). In the patient group, 6 of 28 patients (21%) were diagnosed with depressive disorder and the most common single diagnosis was major depressive disorder. There were no significant differences in the PCOS and control groups in terms of RSES and PedsQL scores. There was no significant relationship between RSES scores and body image related to hirsutism, acne, and body mass index. Also, there was no significant relationship between PedsQL scores and hirsutism, acne, and body mass index.

Conclusion Adolescents with PCOS frequently experience psychiatric disorders. Physicians should be aware that adolescents with PCOS are at a high risk for major depression and anxiety disorders.

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that affects almost 7% of women in reproductive years around the world.1 The characteristic clinical features include abnormal menstrual periods, and clinical or laboratory findings of elevated androgen levels.2 The pathogenesis of PCOS is unclear, but it is believed that the syndrome is the result of interactions between environmental and genetic factors. Moderate heritability of PCOS was reported in studies of monozygotic and dizygotic twins.3