Mental Health Disorders Are Associated With PCOS in Women

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety compared with those without PCOS, according to the findings of a recent study. They are also more likely to have children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than the general population.

For their study, the researchers identified 16,986 women diagnosed with PCOS using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. They compared the rate of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder among women with PCOS with 2 control cohorts matched for age, body mass index, and primary care practice. Also, the researchers assessed the prevalence of ADHD and ASD among children of women with PCOS vs the control cohorts.
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Compared with women without PCOS in control set 1, the prevalence for depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder was higher among those with PCOS. The hazard ratios for the time to each mental health outcome were 1.26 for depression, 1.20 for anxiety, and 1.21 bipolar disorder for cohort 1; and 1.38 for depression, 1.39 for anxiety, and 1.44 for bipolar disorder for cohort 2.

In addition, the odds ratio for an ADHD diagnosis in children of women with PCOS was 1.54 for cohort 1 and 1.76 for cohort 2. The odds ratio for an ASD diagnosis in children of women with PCOS was 1.76 for cohort 1 and 1.34 for cohort 2.

“PCOS is associated with psychiatric morbidity and increased risk of ADHD and ASD in the offspring,” the researchers concluded. “Screening for mental health disorders should be considered during assessment.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Berni T, Morgan C, Berni E, Rees A. Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with adverse mental health and neurodevelopmental outcomes: a retrospective, observational study. Presented at: Society for Endocrinology BES 2017; Harrogate, UK; November 6-8, 2017. Abstract P353. http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0050/ea0050p353.htm.