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Depression, anxiety and perceived stress in women with and without PCOS: a community-based study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2018

Anna L. Damone ,
Anju E. Joham ,
Deborah Loxton ,
Arul Earnest ,
Helena J. Teede  and
Lisa J. Moran
Anna L. Damone
Affiliation:
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Anju E. Joham
Affiliation:
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Unit, Monash Health, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Deborah Loxton
Affiliation:
Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Arul Earnest
Affiliation:
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Helena J. Teede
Affiliation:
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Unit, Monash Health, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Lisa J. Moran*
Affiliation:
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia The Robinson Research Institute, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Lisa J. Moran, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased psychological distress in clinical populations. We aimed to assess depression, anxiety and perceived stress in women with and without PCOS in a large community-based sample and investigate the role of stress in contributing to and mediating the relationship between PCOS, depression and anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was performed from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALWSH) comparing women with (n = 478) or without (n = 8134) a self-reported diagnosis of PCOS. Main outcome measures were depression, anxiety and perceived stress measured using validated scales. The χ2 and t tests were used to assess differences between groups. Univariable and multivariable regression were performed to determine factors contributing to each outcome.

Results

Women reporting PCOS, compared with women not reporting PCOS, reported higher prevalence of depression (27.3% v. 18.8%), anxiety symptoms (50% v. 39.2%) and greater score for perceived stress (1.01 ± 0.03 v. 0.88 ± 0.01). After adjusting for body mass index, infertility and socio-demographic factors, women with PCOS were still more likely to be depressed, anxious and to have a higher level of perceived stress. There was a high-level mediation effect of stress between PCOS and both depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

Compared with women not reporting PCOS, women reporting PCOS have increased depression, anxiety and perceived stress. Stress may play a role in the association between PCOS, depression and anxiety. Further studies should consider assessment and management of stress in PCOS as it may be relevant for understanding the aetiology and treatment of psychological distress.

Keywords

AnxietydepressionPCOSstress
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 49 , Issue 9 , July 2019 , pp. 1510 - 1520
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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