2003 WHRG Grant Program

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Symposia

Depression and Well-being in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Gail Schoen Lemaire, Ph.D., R.N., CS-P
School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Polycycstic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disturbance among reproductive age women, is characterized by hyperandrogenemia (androgen excess). The resulting hyperandrogenism is manifested by physical symptoms such as irregular menstruation, hirsutism, obesity, acne, alopecia, and infertility. Anecdotal and preliminary, empirical evidence suggests that women with PCOS are at increased risk for diminished well-being and depression. Since there is no cure for PCOS and its cause is unknown, women may also experience uncertainty about the syndrome and its treatment, which may further decrease their sense of well-being and increase their risk for depression. Women's perceptions of and emotional responses to physical symptoms of PCOS in relation to well-being, severity of depression, and perceived uncertainty have not been adequately explored.

The specific aims of this exploratory, cross-sectional pilot study are to:

Describe the frequency, severity, interference with daily life, and distress associated with symptoms experienced by women diagnosed with PCOS.
Assess the impact of PCOS symptoms on well-being, depression, and perceived uncertainty about the symdrome.
Enhance understanding of the nature and interrelationships of PCOS symptom.
Assess the relationships between PCOS symptoms and women's sense of well-being, depression, and perceived uncertainty.

One hundred and fifteen women diagnosed with PCOS according to NIH criteria will be recruited from local gynecologic endocrinology practices. Data will be collected by structured telephone interview. Descriptive statistics will be calculated on all variables and Pearson's correlations will be used to determine the relationships among scale scores. Cronbach's alpha coefficients will be obtained for symptom scales, uncertainty, well-being, and depression scales to provide evidence of internal reliability. Since the relationships among PCOS symptoms are not well understood, principal components factor analysis will be used to reduce the symptom data and determine underlying dimensions among PCOS symptoms. Multiple and logistic regression analyses using PCOS derived symptom dimensions will be conducted to determine predictors of women's well-being, depressions, and uncertainty. Post hoc descriptive analyses will be conducted by stratifying participants on the basis of the characteristics of the sample, i.e., women seeking infertility treatment or treatment for hyperandrogenism.

Findings from this study will enahnce understanding of PCOS and women's perceptions of their symptoms. Results will also shed light on the relationship of specific PCOS symptoms to well-being, depression, and uncertainty. Results of this study will provide a basis for future investigation focusing on preventing reduced well-being, depression, and perceived uncertainly among women diagnosed with PCOS.