Document Type
Article
Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depressive symptoms among peri-postmenopausal women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aged ≥43 years relative to premenopausal women with PCOS aged 18-42 years. An online survey link comprising questionnaires about demographics, HRQoL, and depressive symptoms was posted onto two PCOS-specific Facebook groups. Respondents (n = 1,042) were separated into two age cohorts: women with PCOS aged 18-42 years (n = 935) and women with PCOS aged ≥43 years (n = 107). Data from the online survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression via SAS. Results were interpreted through the lens of life course theory. All demographic variables, except for the number of comorbidities, significantly differed between groups. HRQoL among older women with PCOS was significantly better as compared to those aged 18-42 years. Results indicated significant positive linear associations between the HRQoL psychosocial/emotional subscale and other HRQoL subscales and a significant negative association with age. The fertility and sexual function HRQoL subscales were not significantly associated with the psychosocial/emotional subscale among women aged ≥43 years. Women in both groups had moderate depressive symptoms. Study findings demonstrate the need to tailor PCOS management to women's life stage. This knowledge can inform future research about peri-postmenopausal women with PCOS and age-appropriate and patient-centered healthcare, including requisite clinical screenings (e.g., depressive symptoms) and lifestyle counseling across the lifespan.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Publication Info
Published in Journal of Women & Aging, Volume 36, Issue 1, 2023, pages 45-60.
APA Citation
Pamela J. Wright, Tavakoli, A., & Corbett, C. F. (2023). PCOS health-related quality-of-life and depressive symptoms across the lifespan: Comparative study. Journal of Women & Aging, 36(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2023.2230112
Rights
©2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLCThis is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided theoriginal work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been publishedallow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.