Health related quality of life and psychological parameters in Chinese women first diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with high level of psychological implications and detriments to patients’ Quality of Life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, and anxiety in Chinese women first diagnosed with PCOS. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 patients who were first diagnosed with PCOS. They were asked to fill out two questionnaires—the Modified Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (MPCOSQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics was used to report basic personal information of the participants. Inferential statistics was used to report the differentiation, association, and correlation of the variables. Results: The total score of MPCOSQ (155.08; 95% CI 130.42-179.68), and the mean score of all the 30 items in MPCOSQ (5.17,95% CI 4.35-5.99) were obtained from this study. The HRQoL dimensions from low score to high are infertility, irregular menstruation, hirsutism, weight etc. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI, occupation, the total score of HADS were the main contributing factors of HRQoL in women first diagnosed with PCOS (P<0.05). The total score of the HADS is (6.67; 95% CI 2.87-10.47); 25 participants’ scores are equal to or above 11, and the incidence of depression and anxiety is 15.2%. Significant differences were observed among the total score of HADS, the scores of the subscales and the total score of MPCOSQ. Conclusion: The level of anxiety and depression in patients first diagnosed with PCOS is higher than that of the normal population, and the level of HRQoL needs to be improved, especially in the dimensions of infertility and irregular menstruation. There are negative correlations between the total score of HADS with the scores of its subscales and the total score of MPCOSQ, so the patients’ QoL can be improved by reducing the anxiety and depression level.